Una Merkel was an American stage, film, radio, and television actress. She began her acting career in the 1920s and appeared in over 70 films. She was known for her comedic roles and her distinctive southern accent. Merkel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and retired from acting in the 1970s.
Career
Una Merkel began her acting career in the 1920s, starting out on the stage. She later transitioned to film, appearing in over 70 movies throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Some of her most notable film roles include “42nd Street” (1933), “Gold Diggers of 1933” (1933), “Broadway Bill” (1934), and “The Women” (1939). She was known for her comedic roles and her distinctive southern accent.
Merkel also had a career in radio, appearing on several programs during the 1930s and 1940s. She was a regular cast member on the radio program “The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope” and also appeared on other popular radio programs of the time, such as “The Lux Radio Theater” and “The Screen Guild Theater”.
Merkel did not have as much of a career in television as in film and radio, but she did make a few appearances on television shows during the 1950s and 1960s. After her acting career, she retired and moved to New York City. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 in recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry.
Una Merkel was also a pin-up girl during the 1930s and 1940s. She was featured in several pin-up images, and her distinctive southern accent, her comedic roles and her pin-up photos helped to make her a well-known figure in the entertainment industry during the 1930s and 1940s.
Personal Life
Una Merkel was married twice during her lifetime. Her first marriage was to actor Leon Ames in 1931. The couple had two children together before they divorced in 1935. Her second marriage was to William Rankin in 1940, with whom she remained until her death in 1986.
Merkel died on January 2, 1986, in New York City from cancer. She was 82 years old at the time of her death. She was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 in recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry. She made notable contributions to the entertainment industry, appearing in films, on Broadway, and on radio programs, and she remains a beloved figure in Hollywood history.
#1 Tony Randall looks at Debbie Reynolds with Una Merkel and Paul Douglas in a scene from the film ‘The Mating Game’, 1959.
#2 Una Merkel and Cliff Robertson listen to Jane Powell’s decision along with Tommy Noonan and Keith Andes in a scene from the film ‘The Girl Most Likely’, 1958
#3 Una Merkel and William Bendix in ‘Kill the Umpire’, 1950
#4 Una Merkel and William Bendix in ‘Kill the Umpire’
#5 Una Merkel in New Guinea
#6 Una Merkel using the camera dolly to rest her mirror on while touching up her make up between scenes on the set of ‘Whistling In The Dark’.
#7 Una Merkel, 1940
#8 Una Merkel, 1940
#9 Una Merkel adn Bob Burnsin ‘Comin’ Round The Mountain’
#10 Marlene Dietrich in Destry Rides Again
#11 Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel on the set of the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.
#12 Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel holding their pay cheques on the set of the film, ‘Destry Rides Again’.
#13 Una Merkel and Marlene Dietrich battle it out in a scene from ‘Destry Rides Again’,
#14 James Stewart effectively breaks up a fight between Una Merkel and Marlene Dietrich by pouring a bucket of water over them, in the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.
#15 Una Merkel
#16 Scene from Born to Dance
#17 Una Merkel having coffee with unidentified man in a scene from the film ‘Speed’, 1936.
#18 Robert Young with Una Merkel on the steps of MGM’s casting office. Robert is being congratulated on his recent marriage by Una, 1936
#19 Judy Garland with Friends at Star Studded Event
Appearing on one of Frank Fay's undiscovered stars program which holds forth at the Cafe Trocadero in Hollywood every Sunday night, Judy Garland, juvenile torch singer was seen by Louis BB. Mayer of M.G.M. studios. This photo shows her being congratulated just after her appearance by left to right Una Merkel, Judy, Fred Keating and Spencer Tracy.
