Mary Howard de Liagre (May 18, 1913 – June 6, 2009)[1] was an American actress usually credited as Mary Howard.

Mary Howard de Liagre
Mary Howard de Liagre in 1951
Born
Mary Howard

(1913-05-18)May 18, 1913
DiedJune 6, 2009(2009-06-06) (aged 96)
Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1933–1942
SpouseAlfred De Liagre Jr. (1945–1987) (his death) (2 children)

Howard came from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and took dancing lessons when she was in kindergarten.[2] Among her dancing instructors was Albertina Rasch.[2] She began her entertainment career as a dancer, performing in shows in New York City when she was 14. That talent ran in her family, as two older sisters were in the Ziegfeld Follies.[3]

Howard's first film employment came when she signed a stock contract with Louis B. Mayer. Although she appeared in few films, she used the first six months to have her teeth straightened and the second six months to learn to act.[4]

Howard helped organize the USO in Los Angeles during World War II and toured for returning servicemen.[5]

In 1945, she moved to New York City and married Alfred de Liagre Jr., a theater producer who died in 1987. She was a founding member of Recording for the Blind, and served on the boards of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the Princess Grace Foundation.[citation needed]

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Mary Howard". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b Harrison, Paul (September 11, 1939). "Mary Howard Took Up Dancing Because of Straight Legs -- Now That Teeth Are Straightened She's Actress". Kingsport Times. Tennessee, Kingsport. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 4. Retrieved August 31, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ Lowrance, Dee (June 7, 1942). "Her Face Is Unfamiliar, But --". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. Every Week Magazine. p. 32. Retrieved August 31, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ Harrison, Paul (December 1, 1939). "Straight Legs Versus Crooked Teeth, Battle". Star-Phoenix. Canada, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Newspaper Enterprise. p. 4. Retrieved September 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Variety Staff (June 9, 2009). "Actress Mary Howard de Liagre dies". Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  6. ^ "The 10th Academy Awards | 1938". The Oscars.org. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Marie Antoinette (1938) - Full Credits - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. TCM Interactive Group.
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