Entertainer: Interview with Marilyn on December 27, 2015 (Original Version )
Entertainment turned out to be a path I would follow for many years even though I didn’t pursue it at first. In the First Grade, at age 6, I was cast in a production called ‘Kiddie Karnival’ that was aired on the local radio station, WMRN in Marion, OH., and received an Award Certificate. I sang the signature song, originally sung by child actress Shirley Temple, in the 1934 production of ‘Bright Eyes’. The song was, “On The Good Ship Lollipop”.
During my grade school years, I performed a few times with my dad and sister at our church. Daddy was in the Choir and had a wonderful tenor singing voice. He was chosen often to sing solos. On special holidays he enjoyed having my sister and me join him in a trio. One Easter I remember singing two songs with him before the congregation - ‘He Arose’ and ‘He Lives.
In High School, I was in Glee Club, and Band; I played the flute and occasionally twirled the baton.
I performed in the production ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’, had roles in two different plays in my Jr./Sr. year - 'The Red-Headed Stepchild' and 'The Cracked Nutts'. I participated in ‘try-outs’ for Cheerleaders and was voted in by the student body as a Varsity Basketball Cheerleader in both my Jr. / and Sr. years.
After high school, my personal life took center stage with marriage, and the birth of six children, (3 girls and 3 boys) between 1953 and 1962. You might say I was a ‘busy mom’.
Fast forward… I entered the radio/television industry in 1970 through 1982 hosting several programs: ‘To Homemakers with Love’ - sharing
recipes, household hints, etc.; ‘Homemakers Corner’, - a similar format which was syndicated throughout the U.S.A. and Quito, Ecuador; and co-hosted a radio and TV program called, ‘Those Two’. The radio program was also syndicated, having a 5 minute, 10 minute, and 30-minute format for stations to choose from. The TV program, ‘Those Two’, was taped and broadcast from a local Tampa station where we had fun meeting and interviewing some of the 'A-listers and Hollywood stars of that era who were performing at the Showboat Dinner Theatre. Some of my favorites were Ed McMahon - Johnny Carson's co-host on the Tonight Show; George Hamilton, Sue Ann Langdon, and Andy Devine. It was an early morning variety show; their agents would call to book them for promotional purposes and increased sales at the Theater. When we requested the production tapes to have for a later promotion, our producer was unable to find them. A huge disappointment for us.
In 1985, I completed modeling school which opened many doors through 1995. I modeled for print, videos, tea room, restaurants, and mannequin modeling, which led to a great opportunity with Belk Lindsay & JC Penny's Department Stores as Fashion Director in 1991. They were beginning two new programs; ‘Pretty Me’ for grade school-age girls, teaching etiquette and modeling, and ‘Finishing Touches’ for high school guys and girls. It was so much fun training the classes as well as producing/directing shows at the Mall for both stores. From 1992-to 1994, I performed on a line dance team in my home community at The Plantation in Leesburg, FL. It was a good way to keep in shape!
My next venture was meeting a man who had an Ad Agency, who asked why I wasn’t into 'acting’ and explained that he believed I could do very well. It was something I always wanted to do, so I decided it was now or never! He had the knowledge to guide me to the best Screen Actor Guild Agency and made sure I had the right connections. To get better educated, I took acting classes for auditions and voiceover work, where I won the ‘Herbie Award’ for the best audition from one of Orlando’s leading Casting Directors who was also our teacher.
My first break was a National Commercial for ‘Super Poli-Grip’. I did the audition and waited. It was two months before I received a call from my agent stating they were looking for (3) different actors/actresses and had only found two; one in Chicago, and one in New York so they were returning to Orlando to review audition tapes again. One of their VIPs saw my audition and said, ‘that’s our girl!'. They flew me to Dallas, TX where I was chauffeured by limousine, pampered by make-up artists, and hairstylists who dyed my white/silver hair brown, so it wouldn’t conflict with the white kitchen cupboards on the set for the commercial. When I returned back home, Sears had called my agent to book me for a commercial, and work kept coming. I was doing National, Local, Infomercials, voiceovers, educational videos, etc. (noted on my resume).
An opportunity came to audition for a part in the play, ‘Harvey' at the Ice House Theatre in Mount Dora, Fl. I tried out for a small part since I had no experience in theatre, but the Director cast me for the lead, ‘Veta Louise’. It was a success. My next theater experience was at the historical Bay Street Theater in Eustis, FL. playing the part of ‘Claree’ in 'Steel Magnolias'. It was a lot of work but a challenge I enjoyed for sure.
Life was good, my career was on a roll, but the busier I got, the more I realized I wasn't getting younger and needed to start investing more in my health. So my next ‘fun and out of the box’ experience was becoming an Entrepreneur. I’m thankful for the wonderful blessings the Lord has given me throughout my life and privileged to share my story. God bless you on the journey to fulfilling your dreams; and more importantly, be sure to invest in your health to live longer, healthier, and happier! - Marilyn (*-*)