Margaret Dumont
Biography
Margaret Dumont was a female actor born on October 19, 1882, in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She spent her early career on the stage, performing in the stage versions of The Cocoanuts in 1929 and Animal Crackers in 1930, alongside the Marx Brothers. Dumont was given a Paramount contract at the same time as the Marx Brothers and went on to appear in seven of their films. She is known for her performances as the ultimate straight woman in these films. Dumont passed away on March 6, 1965, at the age of 82.
Career overview
Margaret Dumont began her career in the stage, performing in various productions. Her early career included a role in a 1917 Dickens adaptation and stage versions of The Cocoanuts in 1929 and Animal Crackers in 1930. During this time, she was given a Paramount contract.
Dumont's performances in the stage versions of The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers led to her association with the Marx Brothers. She went on to appear in seven of their films, playing similar roles as the straight woman. Her performances alongside the Marx Brothers showcased her comedic timing and ability to play the straight man.
Apart from her work with the Marx Brothers, Dumont also appeared in films with other notable comedians, including W.C. Fields and Laurel & Hardy. Her acting credits span over 60 films, although specific details about her other roles are not mentioned in the provided sources. Dumont's career in film and theater spanned several decades, with her performances leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults (1999) as (archive footage)
- The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell (1982) as (archive footage)
- The Hollywood Clowns (1979) as (archive footage)
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972) as Self (archive footage)
- What a Way to Go! (1964) as Mrs. Foster
- Zotz! (1962) as Persephone Updike
- Around the World with Nellie Bly (1960) as Dowager #1
- The Donna Reed Show (1958)
- Auntie Mame (1958) as Noblewoman in Play (uncredited)
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1956) as Georgianna Fitzdingle
- Stop, You're Killing Me (1952) as Mrs. Whitelaw
- Three for Bedroom C (1952) as Mrs. Agnes Hawthorne
- Racket Squad (1951)
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- Little Giant (1946) as Mrs. Hendrickson
- Susie Steps Out (1946) as Mrs. Starr
- The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945) as Mme. Traviata / Miss Rodholder
- Diamond Horseshoe (1945) as Mrs. Standish
- Sunset in El Dorado (1945) as Aunt Dolly / Aunt Arabella
- Bathing Beauty (1944) as Mrs. Allenwood
- Up in Arms (1944) as Mrs. Willoughby
- Seven Days Ashore (1944) as Mrs. Croxton-Lynch
- The Dancing Masters (1943) as Louise Harlan
- About Face (1942) as Mrs. Culpepper
- Tales of Manhattan (1942) as Mme. Langehanke (uncredited)
- Born to Sing (1942) as Mrs. E. V. Lawson
- Sing Your Worries Away (1942) as Flo Faulkner - Landlady
- Rhythm Parade (1942) as Ophelia MacDougal
- The Big Store (1941) as Martha Phelps
- Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941) as Mrs. Hemogloben
- For Beauty's Sake (1941) as Mrs. Franklin Evans
- At the Circus (1939) as Mrs. Suzanna Dukesbury
- Dramatic School (1938) as Pantomime Teacher
- A Day at the Races (1937) as Emily Upjohn
- High Flyers (1937) as Martha Arlington
- Wise Girl (1937) as Mrs. Bell-Rivington
- Youth on Parole (1937) as Mrs. Abernathy
- The Life of the Party (1937) as Mrs. Penner
- Anything Goes (1936) as Mrs. Wentworth
- Song and Dance Man (1936) as Mrs. Whitney
- Arbor Day (1936) as Woman Outside (uncredited)
- A Night at the Opera (1935) as Mrs. Claypool
- Reckless (1935) as Woman in Audience Yelling 'Get Off the Stage' (uncredited)
- Rendezvous (1935) as Mrs. Hendricks (uncredited)
- After Office Hours (1935) as Mrs. Murchison (uncredited)
- Gypsy Sweetheart (1935) as Mrs. Van Updyke
- Kentucky Kernels (1934) as Mrs. Baxter
- Gridiron Flash (1934) as Mrs. Fields
- Fifteen Wives (1934) as Sybilla Crum
- Duck Soup (1933) as Gloria Teasdale
- Wonderland of California (1933) as Self
- Storm at Daybreak (1933) as Duchess Sophie (uncredited)
- Here, Prince (1932) as The Queen of Deleria (uncredited)
- The Girl Habit (1931) as Blanche Ledyard
- Animal Crackers (1930) as Mrs. Rittenhouse
- The Cocoanuts (1929) as Mrs. Potter
- Enemies of Women (1923) as French Beauty
- A Tale of Two Cities (1917) as Aristocrat (uncredited)