Nydia Westman

Nydia Eileen Westman (February 19, 1902 – May 23, 1970) was an American actress and singer of stage, screen, and television.

Nydia Westman
Born
Nydia Eileen Westman

(1902-02-19)February 19, 1902
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 23, 1970(1970-05-23) (aged 68)
Burbank, California, U.S.
Resting placeOakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Chatsworth, California
Years active1932–1970
Spouse(s)Robert Sparks (1930–1937) (divorced) 1 child
ChildrenKate Williamson

Early years

Westman's parents, Theodore and Lily (Wren) Westman were active in vaudeville in her native New York City. In addition to their working together on stage, her mother was a writer and her father was a composer. She attended the Professional Children's School.[1]

Her sisters, Lolita and Neville, were actresses, and her brother, Theodore (d. November 20, 1927), was an actor and playwright.

Career

Westman's career ranged from episodic appearances on TV series such as That Girl and Dragnet and uncredited bit roles in movies to appearances in groundbreaking films such as Craig's Wife, which starred Rosalind Russell, and the first film version of Little Women.

Westman's screen debut came in Strange Justice (1932). She appeared in 31 films in the 1930s.[1]

She appeared as the housekeeper Mrs. Featherstone in the 1962–1963 ABC series, Going My Way, which starred Gene Kelly and Leo G. Carroll as Roman Catholic priests in New York City.

Westman's first Broadway play was Pigs (1924); her last was Midgie Purvis (1961).[2]

She broke ground on stage, debuting the role of Nell off-Broadway in Samuel Beckett's Endgame, for which she won one of the first Obie awards.

Personal life

Westman was married to Robert Sparks, a producer, from 1930 until 1937; they had a daughter, actress Kate Williamson, born on September 19, 1931.[1]

Westman died of cancer at the age of 68 in Burbank, California.

Filmography

Television work

References
  1. Nissen, Axel (2016). Accustomed to Her Face: Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood. McFarland. pp. 201–203. ISBN 9780786497324. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  2. "Nydia Westman". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
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