Wholesome, reserved leading lady of the 1940s and 50s with a soft, lovely speaking voice, later a respected character actress. A highly gifted and sensitive performer, McGuire was memorable as the immature young wife "Claudia" (1943), in a reprisal of her successful Broadway role; as the mother in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (1945); the mute servant in Robert Siodmak's classic Gothic thriller, "The Spiral Staircase" (1946), and the liberal fiancee of a crusading journalist who must confront her own muted anti-Semitism in "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947). By the mid-50s, McGuire was still a prominently billed star but gradually began playing roles as mothers to younger stars; she was as splendid as ever in films including "Friendly Persuasion" (1956) and "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" (1960). McGuire's daughter, by photographer husband John Swope, is actress Topo Swope.
Family
FATHER: Thomas Johnston McGuire. Lawyer.
MOTHER: Isabel McGuire.
DAUGHTER: Topo Swope. Actor. Survived her.
SON: Mark Swope. Artist, photographer. Born in May 1953; survived her.
Companion
HUSBAND: John Swope. Photographer. Born in 1908; married from July 1943 until his death on May 11, 1979.
Milestone
1930: Made stage acting debut opposite Henry Fonda in the Omaha, Nebraska production. "A Kiss for Cinderella"
1938: Broadway debut as understudy in "Stop-Over"
1938: Was understudy for female roles in "Our Town"
1941: Originated title role in the Broadway production of "Claudia"
1943: Film debut reprising stage role in "Claudia"
1945: Starred in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"
1946: Headlined the sequel "Claudia and David"
1947: Received an Oscar nomination as Best Actress for her role in "Gentleman's Agreement"
1950: Toured as Alma in Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke"
1956: Co-starred with Gary Cooper and Anthony Perkins in "Friendly Persuasion"
1958: Appeared on Broadway in "Winesburg, Ohio"
1960: Had co-starring role in the film version of "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs"
1965: Played the Virgin Mary in the biblical epic "The Greatest Story Ever Told"; last film for six years
1971: Returned to features in "Flight of Doves"; last onscreen film performance
1975: Returned to the stage playing Hannah Jelkes in Los Angeles production of Tennessee Williams' "The Night of the Iguana"; recreated role on Broadway in 1976
1976: Won Emmy nomination as Mary Jordache, the mother of Rudy and Tom, in the ABC miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man"
1978: Portrayed Marmee in the NBC miniseries "Little Women"; reprised role in the short-lived 1979 series
1985: Played opposite Kirk Douglas in the CBS TV-movie "Amos"
1985: Acted in the CBS daytime drama "The Young and the Restless"
1990: Last TV appearance, "The Last Best Year" (ABC)
Education
Ladywood Convent - Indianapolis, Indiana
Omaha Junior College - Omaha, Nebraska
Pine Manor Junior College - Wellesley, Massachusetts
Pine Manor Junior College - Wellesley, Massachusetts - 1936-1938
Jose R. Dasilva
Not given enough credit.
I discovered Dorothy Mcguire as a young boy when I watched "The Enchanted Cottage." I always felt drawn to her ...
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M.T. Fisher
Seemed . . . Well . . Right
Dorothy McGuire seemed to be the typer person one would take home to mother. And certainly the type one's ...
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