Compiled by E. Sue Terhune
(sterhune@bwb.net)
BABY MARIE OSBORNE
Child Actress
Baby Marie Osborne was born Helen Alice Myres in Denver, Colorado, on November 5, 1911. Soon after her birth she became the foster daughter of Leon and Edith Osborn (the "e" later added to Osborne). At the suggestion of her foster mother, the girl's name was changed to Marie. The Osbornes left Denver for Long Beach, California in 1914 where soon the family obtained employment acting with the Balboa Amusement Company. Unable to afford a babysitter, her parents took Baby Marie to the studio. While her parents worked, the little girl played at the studio where she was discovered by Henry King. Baby Marie was soon to be considered the most important child star of the 1910s and was a favorite of World War I audiences.
Henry King & Baby Marie (front), Lon Cheney Sr. with hat (back)In September 1914 director-actor Henry King, unable at the moment to find a boy child actor, spotted Baby Marie. It was her Dutch bob hair cut that attracted his attention. With the right clothes, she could easily pass for a boy, and with her foster parents' permission she was cast in Mr. King's Balboa production of Maid of the Wild (1915). Recognizing that he had a potential star, Mr. King urged the Balboa Company to put her under contract. Under his supervision, King had Little Mary Sunshine (1916) especially written for her. The success of the film made her a star, and she became Balboa's chief asset, with Mr. King directing and often starring with her. By 1917 so popular had Baby Marie Osborne become that the Lasalida Film Incorporation was formed to make Baby Marie films. She acted in many films until 1919 when her career began to wane.
After a few personal appearance tours between 1921 and 1923 which did little to reactivate her film, career she retired and lived the life of a normal pre-teen and teenager. At the age of 20, Miss Osborne married Frank J. Dempsey. Daughter Joan was born in 1932. In 1934 with her marriage in trouble (she divorced Mr. Dempsey in 1936), Miss Osborne decided to find work once again in films. She contacted her former mentor, Henry King, asking him to help her find a job. After obtaining a card with Screen Actors Guild, she registered with Central Casting Corporation and as an extra, between 1934 and 1948, she appeared in numerous films.
In 1945 Miss Osborne married Murray F. Yeats. Their successful marriage lasted until his death on January 27, 1975. She tired of having to call Central Casting daily for extra work so in 1952 she applied and was hired for a job with the Western Costume Company. After a couple of months as a "gofer" she was transferred to the ladies finished costume department where she selected and fitted costumes for actresses and extras. After a short time in live television work in August 1954, she went to 20th Century-Fox as an assistant costumer and soon became costume supervisor working with Jean Simmons, Marlon Brando, John Wayne, Rita Hayworth, Rock Hudson, Robert Redford, Lucille Ball, and Elizabeth Taylor. With the decline of film studios and the changing climate in the film industry, Miss Osborne in 1976 retired and moved in 1977 to San Clemente to be near her family. Today Miss Osborne still lives in San Clemente, and enjoys an active family and social life.
SOURCES:
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.filmsofthegoldenage.com/current/osborne.html+famous+osborne&hl=en
(Copyright © 1999 Lee Enterprises)
