Esther Muir (March 11, 1903 – August 1, 1995) was a character actress on
Broadway and in
Hollywood films.
Theatrical Reviews
Muir was born in
Andes, New York and began modeling in
New York City while still a high school student. She soon won a role in a show called
Greenwich Village Follies. She participated in the
Earl Carroll Vanities and in the
International Review. The latter show starred
Gertrude Lawrence. Her major break as a theatrical performer came when she landed the title role in
My Girl Friday!, in 1929. While in
London, England performing in a musical Esther became a favorite dancing partner of
Edward VIII, then
Prince of Wales. She befriended
Wallis Warfield.
Movie Actress
Muir is probably best known today for her appearance with the
Marx Brothers in
A Day At The Races (1937). Muir toured with the Marxes in a stage version where material was crafted and rehearsed prior to filming. Muir described the Marx Brothers as diligent comic actors who sometimes worked days and weeks on a scene to perfect it. Her other screen credits include parts in
I'll Take Romance (1937),
City Girl (1938), and
The Girl and the Gambler (1939). She continued in motion pictures until 1942. Her final role is
Bonnie in
X Marks The Spot. Her first motion picture appearance was in
A Dangerous Affair in 1931.
Personal life
Muir was introduced by columnist
Walter Winchell to Hollywood director and choreographer
Busby Berkeley, whom she married. They were divorced in 1931. In the 1950s the former actress became a real estate developer in southern
California. She supervised the construction of more than 400 tract homes. Muir married composer/producer
Sam Coslow in
Mexicali, Mexico on November 1, 1934. The couple repeated their wedding vows a year later in
Ventura, California. The marriage ended in divorce in 1948. Her daughter, Jacqueline Coslow, became an actress and married actor
Ted Sorel.
[1]
Esther Muir died in 1995 at Northern Westchester Hospital in
Mount Kisco, New York, aged 92. She had lived in
Somers, New York.
Notes
References
- Fresno Bee, Marriage of Song Writer, Esther Muir Revealed, Wednesday, September 25, 1935, Page 6A.
- The New York Times, Esther Muir, 92, Character Actress, August 9, 1995, Page D20.
- The Oshkosh Northwestern, Hollywood Roundup, May 22, 1937, Page 10.
External links