Frances Mercer

Frances Mercer
Born(1915-10-21)October 21, 1915
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 5, 2000(2000-11-05) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationsActress, model
Years active1938–1967
Spouse(s)G. Robert Fleming, plus 2 others
FatherSid Mercer

Frances Mercer (October 21, 1915 – November 5, 2000) was an American film actress.

Biography

Mercer was born in New Rochelle, New York, on October 21, 1915. Her father was sports writer Sid Mercer. From beginning modeling as a teenager, she became one of New York's leading models before she turned to acting in the late 1930s. Her film debut was in Vivacious Lady (1938), and she debuted on Broadway in Very Warm for May (1939). She was featured on the cover of Redbook magazine's October 1940 issue.

She appeared in the films Blind Alibi, Crime Ring, Smashing the Rackets, The Mad Miss Manton, Annabel Takes a Tour, Beauty for the Asking, Society Lawyer, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, Piccadilly Incident, There's Always Tomorrow and Young and Dangerous.

Television series in which Mercer appeared included For Better or Worse and Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal. She had a radio program, Sunday Night at Nine, in New York. In her later years, when acting jobs became less available, she took other work, including being a medical assistant and a bank teller and dealing in antiques.

Mercer was married to G. Robert Fleming, who was the Republican nominee for California's 16th congressional district in 1956, losing to Democratic incumbent Donald L. Jackson. She died on November 5, 2000, in Los Angeles, California at age 85.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1938Vivacious LadyHelen
1938Blind AlibiEllen
1938Crime RingJudy Allen
1938Smashing the RacketsSusan 'Pat' Lane
1938The Mad Miss MantonHelen Frayne
1938Annabel Takes a TourNatalie Preston
1939Beauty for the AskingPatricia Wharton
1939Society LawyerSue Leonard
1939The Story of Vernon and Irene CastleClaire Ford
1946Piccadilly IncidentJoan Draper
1955There's Always TomorrowRuth Doran
1957Young and DangerousMrs. Price

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Actress Frances Mercer, at 85". The Republican. Massachusetts, Springfield. November 19, 2000. p. B 7. Retrieved September 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 "Frances Mercer Poses for Red Book Cover". The Paxton Record. September 5, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved September 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Frances Mercer". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Obituary for Frances Mercer (Aged 85)". The Los Angeles Times. November 8, 2000. p. 297. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  5. ↑ Oliver, Myrna (November 8, 2000). "Frances Mercer; Movie Actress, Early TV Star". Los Angeles Times. p. B 9. Retrieved September 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Barnes, Aleene (May 6, 1956). "Actress in New Life Role". Los Angeles Times. p. Part III - 14. Retrieved September 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.