Mary McCarty (actress)
American actress, singer, dancer, comedian (1923–1980)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mary McCarty (September 27, 1923 – April 3, 1980) was an American actress, singer, dancer, and comedian, perhaps best known for her role as nurse Clara "Starch" Willoughby on the television series Trapper John, M.D.
- Actress
- singer
- dancer
- comedienne
Mary McCarty | |
|---|---|
![](#/media/File:Mary_McCarty_"Trapper_John,_M.D."_(1979_CBS_press_photo).JPG) McCarty in Trapper John, M.D., 1979 | |
| Born | September 27, 1923[1] Winfield, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | April 3, 1980 (aged 56) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1930–1980 |
| Known for | |
| Partner | Margaret Lindsay[2] |
Early years
McCarty was born in Winfield, Kansas in September 1923,[1] but grew up in Los Angeles after her parents divorced and she and her mother went to live with her great-grandmother.[3]
Career
McCarty's versatility as a performer was highlighted in a review in the September 11, 1948, issue of the trade publication Billboard. Reviewer Bill Riley described McCarty as "a versatile, pretty young Ethel Merman-to-be, who can sing a novelty or a torch song, dance a turn ... or act a sketch with the best of them."[4]
McCarty began appearing in musical revues in Los Angeles when she was 5 years old.[5] As a youngster, she performed with other child actresses, including Shirley Temple and Jane Withers.[6] Her first screen credit came in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.[7] By 1934, she had appeared in approximately 75 films.[8] Her films as an adult included The French Line (1953),[9] All That Jazz (1979), and Somebody Killed Her Husband (1978).[10]
In the era of old-time radio, McCarty starred in the comedy The Redhead (1952),[11] and she was a regular on the variety show This Is Broadway (1949).[11]: 332 On television, in addition to portraying nurse Clara Willoughby on Trapper John, M.D. (1979),[12]: 1104 McCarty was a regular on the variety series Admiral Broadway Revue (1949)[12] and The Arthur Murray Party (1950).[12]: 59 (1950).
McCarty's Broadway credits included Anna Christie (1977), Chicago (1975), Irene (1973), Follies (1971), A Rainy Day in Newark (1963), Bless You All (1950), Miss Liberty (1949), Small Wonder (1948), and Sleepy Hollow (1938).[1] She replaced Ethel Merman as the star of the national touring company of Gypsy. Her appearances in regional theatrical productions included Panama Hattie in St. Louis, Missouri.[9]
She performed in stage revues as a child. At age 10, she sang in six languages and was "quite an accomplished dancer as well."[8] As an adult, she performed in night clubs, including the Mocambo in West Hollywood, California,[7] the Chase Club in St. Louis, Missouri,[9] and the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Nevada.[13]
McCarty's other professional activities included choreographing a production of Man of La Mancha in Israel and teaching at the Herbert Berghof Studio.[14]
Personal life
McCarty never married. According to biographer and historian William J. Mann, McCarty was the life partner of actress Margaret Lindsay.[2]
On April 3, 1980, Lindsay found McCarty dead on the floor of her home in West Los Angeles. She was 56.[5] The cause of death remained undetermined after an autopsy, with results of a toxicology awaited.[15]
Recognition
In 1977, McCarty was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her work in Anna Christie.[16] After her death, her character on Trapper John, M.D. was written out and the experienced older nurse role was replaced with Madge Sinclair as Nurse Ernestine Shoop.
