Mollie King (born Mary Josephine King; April 16, 1895 – December 28, 1981) was an American stage and screen actress.[3]
Early life and stage career
Mollie King was born in New York City in 1895, the daughter of Ellen Mary (née Kearney) and Thomas Joseph King, both natives of Ireland. Two of her older siblings, Charles King and Nellie King also became actors and were likely instrumental in obtaining earlier roles for her in theatre.[4] Mollie began working professionally on stage at the age of seven. Later, by age 16, she was appearing at the Winter Garden Theatre and at other Broadway venues.[5] A few of her stage credits include roles in Good Morning, Judge and Blue Eyes.[4][5]
Film career
King signed with Pathé before moving into film acting.[6] She was cast in leading roles in two John M. Stahl directed films, and also starred in serials. George Irving directed her in the film Her Majesty.[7] She later returned to the stage, appearing with her brother Charles King in a musical comedy Good Morning, Judge.[5]
Personal life and death
In 1918, King tried to enlist as an ambulance driver for the US Army in France. It took two sergeants and a first lieutenant to convince her that women are not wanted at that position.[8]
In 1981, at age 86, King died of a stroke in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[10] Her gravesite, however, is in her hometown of New York City, at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, as is that of her husband, who died the following year.[3]
^ ab"Obituaries: Mollie King". Variety. August 29, 1973. p. 94. ProQuest1438350498. Mollie King, 86, former stage and silent screen actress, died Dec. 28, 1981, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., following a stroke. Born in New York of theatrical parents, she was the sister of Charles ('Broadway Melody') King. [...] She was married twice, to Kenneth D. Alexander and Thomas Claffey.
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