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.
Occupation(s)Actress, 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.[1] Her father was sports writer Sid Mercer.[2] 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),[1] and she debuted on Broadway in Very Warm for May (1939).[3] She was featured on the cover of Redbook magazine's October 1940 issue.[2]

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.[4]

Television series in which Mercer appeared included For Better or Worse and Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal.[1] 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.[5]

Mercer was married to G. Robert Fleming, who ran for Congress in 1956.[6] She died on November 5, 2000, in Los Angeles, California at age 85.[4]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1938 Vivacious Lady Helen
1938 Blind Alibi Ellen
1938 Crime Ring Judy Allen
1938 Smashing the Rackets Susan 'Pat' Lane
1938 The Mad Miss Manton Helen Frayne
1938 Annabel Takes a Tour Natalie Preston
1939 Beauty for the Asking Patricia Wharton
1939 Society Lawyer Sue Leonard
1939 The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle Claire Ford
1946 Piccadilly Incident Joan Draper
1955 There's Always Tomorrow Ruth Doran
1957 Young and Dangerous Mrs. Price

References

  1. ^ a b c "Actress Frances Mercer, at 85". The Republican. Massachusetts, Springfield. November 19, 2000. p. B 7. Retrieved September 2, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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.


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