Mary Gordon was a renowned Scottish actress who spent a significant portion of her career in the United States, specializing in roles that often featured her as a housekeeper or mother. One of her most iconic roles was that of Mrs. Hudson, the trusted housekeeper of the esteemed detective Sherlock Holmes, in a series of films produced during the 1930s and 1940s.
Born Mary Gilmour in Glasgow, Scotland, Gordon was the daughter of a wire weaver. Prior to pursuing a career in acting, she worked as a dressmaker. Gordon's early foray into the world of theater began when she joined a company bound for an American tour, and she eventually made her way to the United States in her early twenties.
Gordon's initial appearances on Broadway were limited to small roles, but she primarily toured in stock productions. Alongside her mother, Mary, and daughter, also named Mary, Gordon arrived in Los Angeles in the mid-1920s and began taking on roles that would become a staple of her career.
During her early years in Hollywood, Gordon befriended renowned director John Ford, with whom she collaborated on seven films, including "Hangman's House" (1928). In 1939, Gordon landed her most famous role to date, playing the role of Mrs. Hudson in a series of Sherlock Holmes films, a character she would portray in ten films and numerous radio plays.
In addition to her work in film, Gordon was also an active member of the Hollywood Canteen, entertaining servicemen during World War II. On the radio show "Those We Love," she played the recurring role of Mrs. Emmett.
As the entertainment industry began to shift towards television, Gordon entered retirement, making only a single appearance on the small screen. She remained very active in the Daughters of Scotia auxiliary of the Order of Scottish Clans and spent her later years in Pasadena, California, living with her daughter and grandson.
Mary Gordon passed away on August 23, 1963, after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and beloved Scottish actress.
