Actress. She appeared in around 30 Hollywood feature films of the 1930s. Born Mary Rogers, she broke into show business at 17 with the Ziegfeld Follies then after success in the Broadway review "Life Begins at 8:40" in which she co-starred with Bert Lahr she moved to Hollywood where she was spotted by Louis B. Mayer and signed to an MGM contract. Her silver screen debut in the 1933 "My Weakness" was followed by both dramas and musicals, her roles increasing in importance with time. Mary's Broadway experience was particularly useful for "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936) and "Bars and Stripes" (1937). She took the name "Mary Howard" in 1937, that same year landed the lead in the Oscar-winning "Torture Money", and had significant roles in "All Over Town" (also 1937), "Men On Tap" (1939), "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940), and "Billy the Kid" and "Riders of the Purple Sage" (both 1941). After her turn as Frances Allan in 1942's "The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe" she became engaged to Broadway producer and director Alfred de Liagre (deceased 1987), retired from films, and moved to New York. Following her 1945 marriage she raised her children, was active with a number of charities, and served on the board of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Actress. She appeared in around 30 Hollywood feature films of the 1930s. Born Mary Rogers, she broke into show business at 17 with the Ziegfeld Follies then after success in the Broadway review "Life Begins at 8:40" in which she co-starred with Bert Lahr she moved to Hollywood where she was spotted by Louis B. Mayer and signed to an MGM contract. Her silver screen debut in the 1933 "My Weakness" was followed by both dramas and musicals, her roles increasing in importance with time. Mary's Broadway experience was particularly useful for "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936) and "Bars and Stripes" (1937). She took the name "Mary Howard" in 1937, that same year landed the lead in the Oscar-winning "Torture Money", and had significant roles in "All Over Town" (also 1937), "Men On Tap" (1939), "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940), and "Billy the Kid" and "Riders of the Purple Sage" (both 1941). After her turn as Frances Allan in 1942's "The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe" she became engaged to Broadway producer and director Alfred de Liagre (deceased 1987), retired from films, and moved to New York. Following her 1945 marriage she raised her children, was active with a number of charities, and served on the board of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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