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Who was Maggie McNamara?
Maggie McNamara was an American actress and model who rose to fame in the 1950s. She was born Marguerite McNamara on June 18, 1928 in New York City, to Irish-American parents. She had two sisters and a brother, and her parents divorced when she was nine years old
She attended Textile High School in New York, where she developed an interest in fashion design. She also started working as a teenage model for John Robert Powers agency, and appeared on the covers of magazines such as Seventeen, Life, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue
She took acting lessons with a coach and made her stage debut in 1951, in the play “The King of Friday’s Men”. She received positive reviews from critics, who praised her beauty and talent
How did she become famous?
Maggie McNamara’s big break came when she was cast by director Otto Preminger in the film adaptation of the controversial play “The Moon Is Blue” in 1953. She played the role of Patty O’Neill, a young woman who has an affair with a married man, played by William Holden. She also co-starred with David Niven, who played another suitor of hers.
The film was a huge success, despite being condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency for its frank discussion of sex and morality. It was also banned in some states and cities for being too indecent. Maggie McNamara received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance, and became a star overnight
She followed up her success with another hit film, “Three Coins in the Fountain” in 1954, where she played one of three American women looking for love in Rome. She co-starred with Louis Jourdan, Clifton Webb and Dorothy McGuire. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won for Best Song
What happened to her career?
Maggie McNamara’s career declined after her initial success. She only made three more films, none of which matched her earlier popularity. She starred in “Prince of Players” in 1955, a biopic of actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth. She played his wife, Mary Devlin, who died young. The film was a flop at the box office
She then appeared in “The Cardinal” in 1963, another film directed by Otto Preminger. She played a minor role of a woman who has an abortion and commits suicide. The film was a critical and commercial success, but Maggie McNamara’s part was overshadowed by the other stars, such as Tom Tryon, Romy Schneider and John Huston
Her last film was “The World of Suzie Wong” in 1960, where she played a supporting role of a socialite who befriends a prostitute, played by Nancy Kwan. The film was a hit, but Maggie McNamara’s role was small and unmemorable
She also tried to revive her career on television, but only had five guest appearances on various shows, such as “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “The Twilight Zone” and “The Virginian”. Her last TV role was in 1964, on the show “Arrest and Trial”
How did she die?
Maggie McNamara retired from acting and worked as a typist in New York City. She also wrote a film script, “The Mighty Dandelion”, which was accepted by a new film producing company. However, she never got to see it made
She suffered from severe depression and mental illness, and had a history of suicide attempts. On February 18, 1978, she was found dead on the couch of her apartment in New York City. She had taken a deliberate overdose of sleeping pills and tranquilizers, and left a suicide note on her piano. She was 49 years old
Her death was not reported by the media until four weeks later, when her relative confirmed it to the New York Times. She was buried at Saint Charles Cemetery in Long Island
Why is her story important?
Maggie McNamara’s story is a tragic example of the dark side of Hollywood fame. She was a talented and beautiful actress who achieved success at a young age, but could not sustain it. She faced rejection, disappointment and loneliness in her career and personal life. She struggled with mental health issues and addiction, and ultimately took her own life.
Her story also reflects the changing times and tastes of the 1950s and 1960s. She was a symbol of the sexual revolution and the new morality of the post-war era, but also a victim of the conservative backlash and the censorship of the film industry. She was a star of the golden age of Hollywood, but also a casualty of its decline.
Maggie McNamara’s story is a reminder of the fragility and complexity of human life, and the need for compassion and understanding. She was a talented and beautiful actress who deserved better. She was a human being who deserved happiness.
