Marion Lorne was an American actor best remembered for playing the sweet, scatterbrained Aunt Clara in the popular television sitcom series Bewitched. A glimpse into her life and career goes thus.
Marion Lorne was born Marion Lorne MacDougall on August 12, 1883, in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, USA. Her parents were immigrants from Scotland, and she grew up in a middle-class family. Marion attended the local schools and later went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City for her acting aspirations.
Marion Lorne Age and Height
Marion Lorne was born on August 12, 1883, and passed away on May 9, 1968, at the age of 84. Regarding her height, she was reported to be 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) tall.
Stage Career
Lorne’s first steps into acting, in the early 1900s, were mainly in stage productions since that was the leading format of the time. Indeed, many actors of her era followed suit-the path of theater work-alternating between Broadway and regional theatre. Some of her most famous Broadway plays include Harvey and The Time of the Cuckoo. Reputedly a comedienne and a capacity to enact the weird character type, Lorne became almost a household name for several decades in the theatre.
Film and Television Career
While a long and distinguished stage career was had, it wasn’t until quite late in her life that Marion Lorne would receive much acclaim from television or film. She made her film debut in the 1967 production of The Graduate, which was a minor role added to her assortment of different performances. However, it would be through television that she became a staple in American households.
Lorne’s most remembered role is as Aunt Clara in Bewitched from 1964 to 1968. As the fumbling, magical relative who was always getting her spells wrong, Lorne charmed audiences with her sweet, forgetful nature. So memorable was she that she received a posthumous Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1968.
Personal Life
Marion Lorne was married to playwright and producer Walter C. Hackett, whom she met in the early 1900s. The couple collaborated on several stage productions and had a happy marriage until Hackett’s death in 1944. They had no children, and Lorne did not remarry after his passing. She remained focused on her career and was known for her gentle personality both on and off the stage.
Legacy and Death
Marion Lorne worked well into her later years and went on to become one of the most beloved character actresses with an immediately identifiable, eccentric comedic style. Her memorable portrayal of Aunt Clara on Bewitched is forever branded into television history.
She died on May 9, 1968, at the age of 84, before the Emmy Award ceremony where she won her only Emmy for her role in Bewitched. A great loss to the entertainment world, and yet her work remains in favor of classic television series lovers.
Conclusion
Marion Lorne was a staple for decades to come, both on stage and on screen. She is best remembered for her peculiar brand of comedy and her unforgettable portrayal of Aunt Clara. Well advanced in age upon reaching television stardom, nonetheless, Lorne left behind a lasting legacy as one of the most charming and best-loved character actresses in Hollywood.
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