Molly O'Day

Molly O'Day (October 16, 1909[1] – October 15, 1998), born Suzanne Dobson Noonan, was an American film actress and the younger sister of Sally O'Neil.[2]

For the singer, see Molly O'Day (singer).
Molly O'Day
O'Day and Richard Barthelmess in The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come (1928)
Born(1909-10-16)October 16, 1909
Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedOctober 15, 1998(1998-10-15) (aged 88)
Avila Beach, California, U.S.
OccupationFilm actress
Spouse(s)Jack Durant (1934-1951; divorced); 4 children
James Kenaston (1952-1956; divorced)
RelativesSally O'Neil (sister)

Biography

Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, she was the youngest of 11 children of Judge Thomas Francis Patrick Noonan and his wife, Hannah Kelly, a Metropolitan Opera singer. After their father's death, O'Day and her two sisters moved to Hollywood. Besides O'Neil, another sister, Isabelle, also acted in films.[3]

O'Day's first appearance was in the Laurel and Hardy short 45 Minutes from Hollywood in 1926. She also appeared in Hal Roach's Our Gang series.

Only 16, she defeated 2,000 contenders in an audition for the tough girl heroine in the 1927 prizefighter movie The Patent Leather Kid.

Like O'Neil in 1926, O'Day became one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1928.[4] Also in 1928, she had surgery to "remove several pounds of flesh from her hips and legs."[5] An Associated Press news story reported: "The actress has been gaining weight steadily for the last year and although under contract to a film studio has been idle. Her excessive weight was the cause of her lack of work, Miss O'Day said, and after other flesh reducing methods failed she decided on the surgeon's knife as the final resort."[5]

After appearing in a few dozen films in the 1930s she retired.

Recognition

O'Day has a star at 1708 Vine Street in the Motion Pictures category on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.[6]

Personal life

O'Day married actor Jack Durant in 1934 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.[7] They divorced July 10, 1951, in Los Angeles, California.[8]

Death

O'Day died in Avila Beach, California, one day before her 89th birthday.

Filmography
On the cover of Motion Picture (July 1928)
Year Title Role Notes
192645 Minutes from HollywoodShort
1927The Patent Leather KidCurley Boyle, the Golden Dancer
1927Hard-Boiled HaggertyGermaine Benoit
1927The LovelornAnn Hastings
1928The Shepherd of the HillsSammy Lane
1928The Little Shepherd of Kingdom ComeMelissa Turner
1929The Show of ShowsPerformer in 'Meet My Sister' Number
1930SistersMolly Shannon
1931Sea DevilsAnn McCall
1931Sob SisterDaisy
1932Devil on DeckKay Wheeler
1933Playthings of DesireRenee Grant
1933Get That VenusBelle
1933Gigolettes of ParisPaulette
1934Hired Wife' Pat Sullivan
1934Chloe, Love Is Calling YouJoyce Gordon
1934The Life of Vergie WintersSadie
1935Bars of HateGertie
1935The Law of 45'sJoan Hayden
1935Lawless BorderMary Warren
1935Skull and CrownAnn Norton(final film role)
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References
  1. Obituary. "Independent.co.uk".
  2. "Easy Come, Easy Go in Movies; Sisters Now Are Bankrupt". Albuquerque Journal. New Mexico, Albuquerque. United Press. November 10, 1930. p. 2. Retrieved October 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Villecco, Tony (2001). Silent Stars Speak: Interviews with Twelve Cinema Pioneers. McFarland. p. 122. ISBN 9780786482092. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  4. Thomas, Dan (July 11, 1934). "The Tough Job of Being a Prophet in Hollywood". The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Illinois, Edwardsville. p. 5.
  5. "Pound of Flesh". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. Associated Press. September 3, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved October 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Molly O'Day". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  7. "Molly O'Day, Screen Player, Weds Actor". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. Associated Press. December 17, 1937. p. 10. Retrieved October 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Divorces". Billboard. July 28, 1951. p. 48. Retrieved 19 October 2016.


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