Doris Simpson, known by her stage names of Doris Merrick and Beth Drake, is a former American film and television actress who is best known for her leading and supporting roles in the 1940s and 1950s. Merrick began her career as a model and was considered a fashionista. She was signed by Warner Brothers Studios and began her acting career in 1942, marking her silver screen debut in a supporting role with the film ‘Girl Trouble’.
In the 13 years of her career as an actress, Merrick appeared in several films of different genres such as the comedy films ‘The Other Woman’, ‘Heaven Can Wait’, ‘The Big Noise’, and the drama films ‘In the Meantime, Darling’, ‘Ladies of Washington’, ‘Sensation Hunters’, and ‘Child of Divorce’. She appeared in the crime and mystery films ‘Time to Kill’ and ‘The Counterfeiters’ and the sci-fi films ‘Untamed Women’ and ‘The Neanderthal Man’. She was also heralded as “Chicago’s Playsuit Girl” and was known as Chicago’s number one blond model.
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Early Life and Education
Merrick was born as Doris Simpson on 6 June 1919 in the city of Chicago, Illinois and one of the ten children born to her parents Nicole Weber and Joseph Simpson. She was raised in a large family in the city of her birth along with her siblings, three sisters and six brothers.
Merrick attended the Hyde Park High School, Chicago and began to take vocal lessons soon. She aspired to be a soloist for NBC in the early years of her career and made her debut public appearance as part of the three singing sisters group. She also modeled for a few years.
Doris Merrick – Young Pictures
Career Rise
Merrick was discovered by agents at Warner Brothers who offered her a contract and gave her the stage name of Beth Drake. Merrick later changed her stage name to Doris Merrick and made her silver screen debut with the 1942 film ‘Girl Trouble’ in which she essayed the role of Susan. She also appeared as Irene in the film ‘That Other Woman’ in the same year, but gained prominence for her portrayal of Linda Conquest Murdock in the 1942 American mystery film ‘Time To Kill’. Merrick then featured as Nellie Brown in the 1943 film ‘Heaven Can Wait’ and appeared in supporting roles in three films in 1943; ‘Ladies of Washington’, ‘In the Meantime, Darling’ and the Laurel and Hardy Comedy ‘The Big Noise’.
Merrick appeared in the lead role of Julie Rogers in the 1945 film ‘Sensation Hunters’. She appeared in the supporting role of Louis Norman in the 1946 film ‘Child of Divorce’ and as Millicent Rankin in the 1947 film ‘The Pilgrim Lady’. In 1948, Merrick once again won the lead roles of Margo Talbot in the American crime film ‘The Counterfeiters’ and Jeanne Barton in ‘The Fighting Stallion’. She also starred as the lead actress of the 1952 science fiction film ‘Untamed Women’ in which she essayed the character of Sandra. Merrick appeared as Ruth Marshall in another sci-fi film ‘The Neanderthal Man’ in 1953. Merrick retired in 1955 after appearing in a small role in the film ‘Interrupted Melody’.
Doris Merrick – Husband
Merrick has been married twice. In 1936, Merrick tied the knot with Boxer-turned restauranteur Maximilian “Max” Marek. The couple became parents to a daughter named Doris “Dee” Marek. The couple got divorced in 1994.
Merrick then met John Meagher Knoll who was smitten with her from the moment he saw her. The couple got married in 1946. Together they had four children, daughters Elizabeth Ann, Kathleen Susan, Charla Michael and a son named John Meagher. The couple divorced in 1962. Merrick lives in Rancho Mirage, California
Net Worth
Merrick has an estimated net worth of approximately $300,00.