Maryon Eloise Aye, known professionally as Marion Aye, was a talented actress born on April 5, 1903, in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. Her father, a lawyer, made the decision to relocate the family to California, where Marion's early life and career would unfold.
Marion's introduction to the world of entertainment came courtesy of Fatty Arbuckle, who discovered her talent at Balboa Studios. Her enthusiasm and dedication to her craft led her to elope with cameraman Sherman Plaskett at the tender age of fifteen, despite the fact that he tragically passed away just a year later.
Following her move to New York City, Marion found herself working at Bothwell Browne's Revue, where she honed her skills and eventually became a Mack Sennett bathing beauty. Her impressive resume boasts over a dozen film credits, including the notable titles "The Hick," "Montana Bill," and "The Weak-End Party" alongside the legendary Stan Laurel.
Marion also shone in a series of Cactus Westerns alongside Bob Reeves and made headlines in 1921 by becoming the first star to sign a contract with a morality clause. The following year, she was chosen as one of the first Wampas baby stars, joining the ranks of Colleen Moore and Lois Wilson.
Marion's second marriage, to press agent Harry Wilson, ended in 1924, but she continued to thrive on stage and screen. Her notable stage production, "White Collars," was a huge success that same year. Despite her promising start, Marion's career never quite reached the heights she had envisioned.
In 1930, Marion appeared in the drama "Up the River," marking her final film role. She continued to work on stage and radio, but her struggles with depression intensified, culminating in a 1935 suicide attempt. After being hospitalized, Marion attempted to make a comeback in 1951, auditioning for a television role. However, when she failed to secure the part, her despondency deepened.
On July 10, 1951, Marion tragically took her own life by swallowing a large amount of poison in a Culver City motel. She passed away eleven days later at the age of forty-eight. Her husband, Robert Forester, later expressed regret for not taking her threats of suicide seriously. Marion was laid to rest alongside her mother at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
