Molly O'Day

Molly O'Day (born Suzanne Dobson Noonan; October 16, 1909[1] – October 22, 1998) 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 in 1928
Born
Suzanne Dobson Noonan

(1909-10-16)October 16, 1909
Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedOctober 22, 1998(1998-10-22) (aged 89)
Avila Beach, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Spouses
Jack Durant
​
​
(m. 1934; div. 1951)​
    James Kenaston
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1952; div. 1956)​
    Children4
    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.

    Personal life and death

    O'Day married actor Jack Durant in 1934 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.[6] They divorced July 10, 1951, in Los Angeles, California.[7] They had 4 children together.

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

    Recognition
    On the cover of Motion Picture (July 1928)

    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.[8]

    Filmography
    O'Day and Richard Barthelmess in The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come (1928)
    Year Title Role Notes
    192645 Minutes from HollywoodShort
    1927The Patent Leather KidCurley Boyle, the Golden Dancer
    Hard-Boiled HaggertyGermaine Benoit
    The LovelornAnn Hastings
    1928The Shepherd of the HillsSammy Lane
    The Little Shepherd of Kingdom ComeMelissa TurnerLost film
    1929The Show of ShowsPerformer in 'Meet My Sister' Number
    1930SistersMolly Shannon
    1931Sea DevilsAnn McCall
    Sob SisterDaisy
    1932Devil on DeckKay WheelerLost film
    1933Playthings of DesireRenee Grant
    Get That VenusBelle
    Gigolettes of ParisPaulette
    1934Hired WifePat Sullivan
    Chloe, Love Is Calling YouJoyce Gordon
    The Life of Vergie WintersSadie
    1935Bars of HateGertie
    The Law of 45'sJoan Hayden
    Lawless BorderMary Warren
    Skull and CrownAnn Norton

    References
    1. Obituary (October 28, 1998). "Independent.co.uk". 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. open access
    3. Villecco, Tony (2001). Silent Stars Speak: Interviews with Twelve Cinema Pioneers. McFarland. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-7864-8209-2. Retrieved October 19, 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. open access
    6. "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. open access
    7. "Divorces". Billboard. July 28, 1951. p. 48. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
    8. "Molly O'Day". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
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