Mary Lawrence (born Mary Lou Lender, May 17, 1918September 24, 1991) was an American actress, who had a career in film and television.
Early years Lawrence was born Mary Lou Lender in Newark, Ohio. She and her family moved to Columbus, Ohio, when she was 2 years old. Her early acting experiences came while she was in Columbus schools.
Acting While on vacation in California, Lawrence met family friend Elliott Nugent, who introduced her to Harold Lloyd. Loyd in turn gave her a part in his film, The Professor. She married soon after making the film and retired from acting to raise her children.
Lawrence eventually resumed acting, beginning with work in little theater productions. Bob Cummings was a friend of the family, and he asked her to be on his television show. She played Ruth Helm on Love That Bob from 1956 to 1958. Other television programs in which she was seen included Climax, Playhouse 90, and Dragnet. She had a recurring role in the syndicated television series Casey Jones, where she played Jones's wife Alice with Alan Hale Jr. as her husband. She also appeared in episodes of The Donna Reed Show.
Films in which Lawrence acted included No Man of Her Own, State Fair, and The Stratton Story.
Writing After Lawrence retired from acting, she turned to writing books on art. Her published works included Mother and Child (1975), Lovers (1982), and Children in Art (posthumous).
Personal life and death Lawrence married film director Delmer Daves, who wrote the screenplay for The Professor. They were wed from 1938 to 1977. Following his death she married banker Samuel Doak Young Sr. She had three children. She died of complications resulting from pneumonia on September 24, 1991, in St. John's Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica, California, aged 73.
Filmography + List of acting performances in film and television Title Year Role Notes County Fair 1937 Julie Williams credited as Mary Lou Lender Numbered Woman 1938 Margie credited as Mary Lender Professor Beware 1938 The Bride credited as Mary Lou Lender Obliging Young Lady 1942 Bird Lover Uncredited The Stratton Story 1949 Dot Task Force 1949 Ruth Rankin Uncredited No Man of Her Own 1950 Lucy Hunt Uncredited The Sound of Fury 1950 Kathy Uncredited Night into Morning 1951 Edith Bottomly The Lady Says No 1951 Mary Code Two 1953 Girl Uncredited The Lady Says No 1953 Louise Malvine Uncredited Arena 1953 Young Woman Uncredited Climax! 1955 Episode: "Flight 951" The Bob Cummings Show 1955–1958 Ruth Helm 7 episodes A Cry in the Night 1956 Madge Taggart These Wilder Years 1956 Mrs. Callahan Uncredited Burns and Allen 1956 Dr. J.L. Hendricks' nurse Season 6, Episode 39: "Mrs. Sohmers Needs a Psychologist" Casey Jones 1957–1958 Alice Jones 16 episodes The Donna Reed Show 1959 Myra Keppler Episode: "Parting Of The Ways" Dragnet 1959 Barbara Roxwell Episode: "The Big Byron" Sea Hunt 1961 Dr. Barnes Episode: "The Aquanettes" The Asphalt Jungle 1961 Marian Gower Episode: "The Lady and the Lawyer" The Lawbreakers 1961 Marian Gower film adaptation of The Asphalt Jungle episode "The Lady and the Lawyer" Back Street 1961 Marge Claypole The Best Man 1964 Mrs. Merwin Youngblood Hawke 1964 Mrs. Givney Uncredited Run for Your Life 1965 Mrs. Beaumont Episode: "The Cold, Cold War of Paul Bryan", (final appearance)
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