Katherine Elizabeth Wilson, also known as Marie Wilson, was a talented and lively comedienne, often compared to the legendary Gracie Allen. Born on August 19, 1916, in Anaheim, California, Marie's family moved to Hollywood after her father's passing, where she grew up with a passion for the entertainment industry.
After attending Miss Page School and the Hollywood Cumnock School for Girls, Marie began her career in films, initially working as an extra and a salesgirl in a department store. Her breakthrough came after meeting director Nick Grinde, who helped shape her early Hollywood career. She appeared in his comedy short "My Girl Sally" (1935) and had an extra part in his feature film "Ladies Crave Excitement" (1935).
Marie's big break came when she was cast as Mary, Quite Contrary in the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy musical fantasy "March of the Wooden Soldiers" (1934). She then focused on developing her dumb blonde persona, with Grinde's guidance, and secured a contract with Warner Brothers in 1935. She stayed with the studio for four years, appearing in films such as "Broadway Hostess" (1935),"Stars Over Broadway" (1935),"Public Wedding" (1937),and "Boy Meets Girl" (1938).
As a quintessential dizzy, dim-witted foil, Marie excelled in several Prohibition-era comedies, including "Public Wedding" (1937) and "Boy Meets Girl" (1938). Her last film for Warners was "The Cowboy Quarterback" (1939).
After her Warner's contract ended in 1939, Marie struggled to find film work, but found success on stage as the sexy stooge for impresario Ken Murray in his top-rated Los Angeles 'blackout'-style stage shows of the early 1940s. She stayed with the show for seven years, interspersed with film opportunities for various studios.
Marie's career experienced a resurgence with the successful radio, film, and TV versions of "My Friend Irma" (1949),which cemented her status as a "dumb blonde" icon. She continued to work in film and television, appearing in projects such as "A Girl in Every Port" (1952),"Never Wave at a WAC" (1953),"Marry Me Again" (1953),and "Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation" (1962).
Marie was a bright, ambitious woman who was known for doing crazy stunts for publicity and took to the stage, nightclub, and TV circuits once her film career slowed down. She appeared in summer stock and dinner theatre engagements, finding success in well-suited vehicles such as "Bus Stop," "Born Yesterday," and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
Marie married twice and had an adopted son, Gregson (Greg),through her second marriage to actor/TV producer Robert Fallon. She underwent several surgeries for cancer before passing away at the age of 56, surrounded by her family, in 1972.
