Hunt, Marsha (1917–)
Hunt, Marsha (1917–)
American actress. Born Marcia Virginia Hunt, Oct 17, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois; studied acting at Theodora Irvine School of Dramatics; m. Jerry Hopper (editor, then director), in 1938 (div. 1943); m. Robert Presnell (screenwriter), 1946.
Paid for acting lessons by modeling for John Robert Powers; made screen debut in The Virginia Judge (1935); signed with MGM, where she made a name playing leads in B pictures and supporting roles in major productions, including Irene (1940), Pride and Prejudice (1940), Blossoms in the Dust (1941), Panama Hattie (1942), The Human Comedy (1943), Thousands Cheer (1943), Cry Havoc (1943), The Valley of Decision (1945), Smash-up (1947), and The Happy Time (1952); career suffered a serious setback (1950s), when 2nd husband, Robert Presnell, was accused of sympathizing with Hollywood Ten, a group who refused to testify at House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings; a political innocent, protested the committee's methods and was subsequently blacklisted in film, radio and tv; returned to stage, appearing on Broadway in The Devil's Disciple (1950); continued to work in theater for years; later appeared on numerous tv shows, including "Marcus Welby, M.D."; founded Valley Mayors Fund for the Homeless and served as its president for 6 years.
See also Women in World History.