Gwendolyn L. Witter, known by her stage name of Mary Carlisle is a former American film actress, dancer and singer who starred in leading and supporting roles in several Hollywood movies from 1930 until 1943 when she retired. Carlisle gained prominence when she was chosen as one of the top 15 girls who were selected as the 1932 WAMPAS Baby Stars (young actresses believed to achieve stardom).
Carlisle made her acting debut as a child artiste in a bit role in the 1923 silent film ‘Long Live The King’. She then worked as an extra with MGM and started appearing in films in 1930, receiving her breakthrough in the 1933 Comedy ‘College Humor’ with co-star Bing Crosby with whom she appeared in two more hit films ‘Doctor Rhythm’ and ‘Double or Nothing’. Carlisle retired from the film industry soon after getting married in 1942, making the 1943 film ‘Dead Men Walking’ her final appearance.
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Early Life and Education
Carlisle was born as Gwendolyn L. Witter on 3 February 1912 (some sources claim her year of birth is 1914), in Boston, Massachusetts, USA as the daughter of her parents, mother Leona Ella Witter and father Henry J. Kaiser who raised her in a religious family in the Back Bay area of Boston where her family moved when she was six months old. Carlisle’s father died when she was just four years old, after which her she and her mother moved to Los Angeles.
Carlisle was educated at a convent school in Back Bay Boston and later completed her primary and secondary education from a public school in Los Angeles. Carlisle embarked upon a career in acting soon after graduating high school. As of 2017, Carlisle is the only surviving actor out of the of the 15 WAMPAS Baby Stars of 1932. She learnt dancing from Ann Dvorak which helped win a studio contract from MGM.
Career Rise
Carlisle made her acting debut as a child-artiste in 1923 in an uncredited role in Jackie Coogan’s silent film ‘Long Live the King’. At the age of 14, when Carlisle was accompanying her mother and having lunch at the Universal Studios commissary, she was noticed by studio executive Carl Laemmle, Jr. who asked her to undergo a screen test. Carlisle passed the test and started receiving minor and extra roles. In 1930, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio offered her a year-long contract. Carlisle spent quite a few years as a back-up dancer.
Carlisle made brief appearances in films like ‘Passion Flower’ and ‘Madam Satan’. She featured in the 1932 film ‘Grand Hotel’ in which she portrayed Mrs. Hoffman, a young bride and gained recognition after being selected as a WAMPAS Baby Star. Carlisle rose to prominence in 1933 for her portrayal of Barbara Shirrel in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful musical comedy film ‘College Humour’ alongside Bing Crosby which catapulted her into immediate stardom. Carlisle teamed up with Crosby again to star in films like ‘Doctor Rhythm’ and ‘Double or Nothing’. Carlisle’s also appeared in films like ‘Girl o’ My Dreams’, ‘It’s in the Air’, ‘Lady Be Careful’, ‘Touchdown, Army’ ‘Call a Messenger’, ‘Rags to Riches’ and made her final appearance in the 1943 film ‘Dead Men Walk’.
Mary Carlisle – Young Pictures
Personal Life
Carlisle dated and later married British-born actor and 20th Century Fox executive producer James Edward Blakely in 1942 and announced her retirement from the film industry soon after her marriage. Carlisle and Blakeley became parents to one child and were married for 65 years until Blakeley passed away in 2007.
After Carlisle spent years raising their only child she started working again. Carlisle worked as the manager of the Elizabeth Arden Salon located in Beverly Hills, California.
Latest Pictures
Mary Carlisle – Net Worth
Carlisle has an estimated net worth of approximately $720,750.