Mary Nash

Mary Nash was born Mary Ryan on August 15th, 1884 in Troy, New York. Her father, James Ryan, was a successful lawyer who died when she was young. Her mother, Ellen, then remarried to a vaudeville booking agent names Philip F. Nash and Mary then took his surname. Thanks to her stepfathers connections in the vaudeville connection, Mary was able to pursue an acting career, going on to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

She began a successful Broadway career at the turn of the century, making frequent appearances until the mid-1930s. During that time she also became a regular on the stages in London, proving her cross-continental appeal. She began her film career in 1934, appearing the short film uncertain lady. She continued to act in Hollywood, often playing mild manner women often pushed to their breaking point in films like Easy Living, Wells Fargo, The Little Princess and The Rain Comes. In 1939 she returned to Broadway to appear as the matriarch of the Lord family in The Philadelphia Story. She would then returned to the role in 1940 with the George Cukor adaptation.

Nash continued to act for the next six years with her last film being the 1946's Swell Guy. she then retired from the film business. She lived the rest of her life in Los Angeles. Mary Nash died on December 3rd, 1976. She was 92 years old.