Marion Davies

Birth Name: Marion Cecilia Douras

Date of Birth: January 3, 1897

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, Kings, New York City, New York, United States

Date of Death: September 22, 1961

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Irish

Marion Davies was an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and philanthropist. Beginning with silent films and transitioning to talkies, her roles included the films Runaway Romany, which she also wrote; Cecilia of the Pink Roses, The Burden of Proof (1918), The Belle of New York, Getting Mary Married, The Dark Star (1919), The Cinema Murder, April Folly, The Restless Sex, Buried Treasure, Enchantment (1921), The Bride’s Play, Beauty’s Worth, The Young Diana, When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922), Adam and Eva, Little Old New York (1923), Yolanda, Janice Meredith, Zander the Great, Lights of Old Broadway, Beverly of Graustark, The Red Mill, Tillie the Toiler, The Fair Co-Ed, Quality Street (1927), The Patsy (1928), The Cardboard Lover, Show People, Marianne (1929), Not So Dumb, The Florodora Girl, The Bachelor Father, It’s a Wise Child, Five and Ten (1931), Polly of the Circus (1932), Blondie of the Follies, Peg o’ My Heart (1933), Going Hollywood, Operator 13, Page Miss Glory (1935), Hearts Divided, Cain and Mabel, and Ever Since Eve (1937). She produced many of her films.

She was the daughter of Rose C. (Reilly) and Bernard J. Douras, who was a lawyer and judge. Her father was born in New York, to Irish parents. Her mother also had Irish ancestry. She was raised near Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Marion was the sister of singer and actress Reine Davies and actress Rosemary Davies, and the aunt of actress and writer Pepi Lederer and screenwriter and film director Charles Lederer; who were Reine’s children. After Reine took on the stage name Davies, Marion did as well.

Her long-time partner was businessperson, newspaper publisher, and politician William Randolph Hearst. Patricia Lake (Patricia Douras Van Cleve), a socialite, actress, and radio comedian, was formally the daughter of Marion’s sister Rosemary Davies and George Van Cleve, though she may in fact have been Marion’s and William’s daughter. Patricia was married to actor Arthur Lake.

Marion was later married to sea captain Horace G. Brown, until her death.

Marion’s paternal grandfather was named Daniel Douras.

Marion’s paternal grandmother was named Katherine McCann.

Marion’s maternal grandfather was named Charles Reilly. Charles was born in Connecticut.

Marion’s maternal grandmother was named Mary. Mary was born in New York.

The internet has sometimes described Marion as having had Greek ancestry. This is not accurate.

Sources: Genealogy of Marion Davies – https://www.geni.com

Marion Davies on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Marion’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Marion’s paternal grandfather, Daniel Douras – https://www.familysearch.org