Martha Vickers

Martha Vickers (born Martha MacVicar; May 28, 1925 – November 2, 1971) was an American model and actress.

Martha Vickers
Martha Vickers in 1947
Born
Martha MacVicar

(1925-05-28)May 28, 1925
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
DiedNovember 2, 1971(1971-11-02) (aged 46)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeValhalla Memorial Park
Occupation
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1943–1960
Spouse(s)
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1948; div. 1948)​
      ​
      ​
      (m. 1949; div. 1951)​
        Manuel Rojas
        ​
        ​
        (m. 1954; div. 1965)​
        Children3

        Early life

        Vickers was born Martha MacVicar in Ann Arbor, Michigan, into a Jewish family; her father was an automobile dealer. She began her career as a model[1][2] and cover girl. Her family moved to Hollywood when her father assumed control of an agency in Burbank, California. Vickers was 15 at that time.[1]

        Film
        Martha Vickers pin-up in
        Yank (1945)

        Vickers' first film role was a small uncredited part in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943).[3]

        She played minor roles in several films during the early 1940s, working first at Universal Studios and then at RKO Pictures. She next went to Warner Bros., where "they gave her the star push, rearranging her surname to 'Vickers.'"[2] Her work there included the role of Carmen Sternwood, the promiscuous, drug-addicted younger sister of Lauren Bacall's character in The Big Sleep (1946). She also starred in a musical, The Time, the Place and the Girl (also 1946), followed by two Warner Bros. comedies, Love and Learn and That Way with Women (both 1947).

        During the 1950s, however, Vickers' film career stalled.[specify]

        Television

        Vickers's TV appearances included the 1959 Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Jaded Joker", in which she played Sheila Hayes. Her final two performances, in 1960, were on The Rebel, starring Nick Adams.

        Personal life

        Vickers was married three times, to A.C. Lyles (March 15, 1948 – September 28, 1948),[4] Mickey Rooney (June 3, 1949 – September 25, 1951),[5] and actor Manuel Rojas (September 1, 1954 – May 5, 1965).[6] Each marriage ended in divorce. Vickers had one son with Mickey Rooney, and two daughters with Rojas.[7]

        Death

        Vickers, 46, died of esophageal cancer at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles on November 2, 1971.[1] She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.

        Filmography
        Film
        Year Title Role Notes
        1943 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Margareta Uncredited
        Captive Wild Woman Dorothy Colman Credited as Martha MacVicar
        Top Man High school girl Uncredited
        Alternative title: Man of the Family
        Hi'ya, Sailor Hostess Uncredited
        1944 This Is the Life Girl Uncredited
        Marine Raiders Sally Parker Credited as Martha MacVicar
        The Mummy's Ghost Miss McLean, a student Uncredited
        The Falcon in Mexico Barbara Wade Credited as Martha MacVicar
        1946 The Big Sleep Carmen Sternwood
        The Time, the Place and the Girl Victoria Cassel
        1947 The Man I Love Virginia "Ginny" Brown
        That Way with Women Marcia Alden
        Love and Learn Barbara Wyngate
        1948 Ruthless Susan Duane
        1949 Daughter of the West Lolita Moreno
        Bad Boy Lila Strawn Alternative title: The Story of Danny Lester
        Alimony Kitty Travers aka Kate Klinger
        1955 The Big Bluff Valerie Bancroft Alternative title: Worthy Detectives
        1957 The Burglar Della
        1960 Four Fast Guns Mary Hoag
        Television
        Year Title Role Notes
        1952 The Unexpected 1 episode
        1953-1951 General Electric Theater Louise
        Helen        		 2 episodes
        1954 Ford Theatre Nancy 2 episodes
        The Whistler Louise 1 episode
        1955 Fireside Theater Ellen Weston
        Julie        		 2 episodes
        1956 The Millionaire Ruth Murdock 1 episode
        1957 Playhouse 90 1 episode
        1959 Perry Mason Sheila Hayes 1 episode
        1960 The Rebel Bess Weed
        Agnes Boley        		 2 episodes

        References
        1. "Actress-Model Is Dead At Age Of 46". The Danville Register. Virginia, Danville. Associated Press. November 5, 1971. p. 3. Retrieved November 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
        2. Monush, Barry (2003). Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to 1965. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 759. ISBN 9781557835512. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
        3. Mank, Gregory William (2014). The Very Witching Time of Night: Dark Alleys of Classic Horror Cinema. McFarland. p. 275. ISBN 9781476615431. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
        4. "Martha Vickers, Movie Actress, Given Divorce". Joplin Globe. Missouri, Joplin. Associated Press. September 29, 1948. p. 3. Retrieved November 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
        5. Marill, Alvin H. (2004). Mickey Rooney: His Films, Television Appearances, Radio Work, Stage Shows, and Recordings. McFarland. p. 13. ISBN 9780786420155. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
        6. "Martha Vickers Wins Divorce". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. Associated Press. May 6, 1965. p. 54. Retrieved November 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
        7. "The Official Website of Martha Vickers". www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com.


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