Claire Niesen
Claire Niesen (c. 1920 - October 4, 1963)[1] was an American actress, primarily on radio.
Claire Niesen | |
|---|---|
 Niesen as Mary Noble | |
| Born | c. 1920 Phoenix, Arizona |
| Died | October 4, 1963 Encino, California |
| Spouse | Melville Ruick (March 11, 1949 - October 4, 1963; her death) |
| Children | 1 |
Early years
Born in Phoenix, Arizona,[2] she wanted to be an actress from age 4.[3]
She was valedictorian of her class at a high school in New York City[4] and attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Art.[5] She had experience in vaudeville before she began working in radio.[6]
Radio
Niesen debuted on radio on a small station when she was 15 years old, having roles in works by Ibsen and Shakespeare.[3] She starred on network soap operas for two decades.[7] She first acted on network radio in Joyce Jordan, M.D.[6] Her roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
| Program | Role |
|---|---|
| Backstage Wife | Mary Noble |
| Her Honor, Nancy James | Laura[8] |
| The O'Neills | Peggy |
| The Second Mrs. Burton | Terry Burton |
| We Who Dream | Dream Girl[9] |
Source: Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960,[1] except as noted.
In his book, Historical Dictionary of American Radio Soap Operas, Jim Cox wrote: "Mary Noble's alter ego, Niesen, consistently projected the appealing inflections required by the role: invariably soft-spoken, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Her empathetic expressions contributed to winning the part and helping her keep it for the final 14 years the serial was on the air (1945-59)."[10]
Other programs in which Niesen was heard included Life Can Be Beautiful, The Right to Happiness,[1] Light of the World, Meet Miss Julia, Into the Light, The Man I Married, We, the People, March of Time and Manhattan at Midnight.[6]
Recognition
In 1943, Niesen won the Philco Hall of Fame Award.[12]
Personal life
Niesen married actor Melville Ruick March 11, 1949, in New York City.[3]
Death
Niesen died of cancer in Encino, California on October 4, 1963. She was survived by her husband, a daughter and a sister.[13]
References
- DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc.; ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2, pg. 203.
- "Radio Guide". Altoona Tribune. Pennsylvania, Altoona. May 6, 1947. p. 11. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- Gayle, Gene (June 1952). "Claire Niesen -- Backstage Wife" (PDF). Radio-TV Mirror. 38 (1): 36, 89–90. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- "(untitled brief)". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. March 16, 1946. p. 21. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Say Hello To ..." (PDF). Radio Mirror. 12 (1): 45. May 1939. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- "Star of Joyce Jordan Show Has Own Dramatic Story". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. July 3, 1942. p. 24. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Claire Niesen Dies, Radio's 'Mary Noble'". New Castle News. New Castle, Pennsylvania. United Press International. October 7, 1963. p. 9. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- Buxton, Frank and Owen, Bill (1972). The Big Broadcast: 1920-1950. The Viking Press. SBN 670-16240-x. P. 110.
- Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 350.
- Cox, Jim (2005). Historical Dictionary of American Radio Soap Operas. Scarecrow Press. pp. 159–160. ISBN 9780810865235. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- "Claire Niesen". Playbill Vault. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- "Deaths" (PDF). Billboard. October 14, 1963. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- "Claire Niesen, Favorite Of Soap Opera Fans, Dies". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. Associated Press. October 6, 1963. p. 21. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.