Trudy Marshall

Stage Name: Trudy Marshall
Real Name: Gertrude Marshall
Born: February 14, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY
Died: May 23, 2004 in Century City, CA
Spouse: Phillip J. Raffin (1944-1981/his death)
Big Break: magazine cigarette girl for Harry Conover
Best Known as: the pretty girl next door and the 'other woman'
Selected Resume: Heaven Can Wait, The Sullivans, The Fuller Brush Man, Once is Not Enough
Most Memorable Role: Genevieve "Gen" Sullivan in The Sullivans


She first started her career as a model for Harry Conover, appearing as a cigarette girl. She was signed by 20th Century Fox in 1942 and appeared in mostly bit parts. Darryl F. Zanuck ended her career after he punished her for marrying a man against the studio's wishes. Her career was over, but her marriage lasted until 1981, when her husband tragically died. She did, however, manage to get her daughter, Deborah Raffin, into show business with their appearances in Once is Not Enough. She hosted her own radio and TV show in the 80's which focused on celebrities and Hollywood.

Watch Trudy


Links on Trudy:

Trudy Photos

Trudy at Find a Grave

The Independent Obituary for Trudy

Trudy on Wikipedia

Trudy on IMDB

More Trudy Photos

Trudy Marshall Merchandise

Joyce Compton

Stage Name: Joyce Compton
Real Name: Eleanor Hunt
Born: January 27, 1907 in Lexington, KY
Died: October 13, 1997 in Los Angeles, CA
Spouse: William Francis Kaliher (October 29, 1955 - January 1956/Divorced)
Big Break: Named WAMPAS Baby Star of 1926
Best Known as: the good-looking dumb blonde
Selected Resume: Dangerous Curves, Wild Party, White Parade, Love Before Breakfast, Trapped By Television, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Sky Murder, They Drive By Night, Sorry, Wrong Number,
Most Memorable Role: Dixie Belle Lee in The Awful Truth


Although uncredited in most of her films, Joyce almost always played her part perfectly. Although she failed to break into the big time like other stars of her time, she managed to rack up an impressive resume of over 150+ films. After the death of her mother in 1953 and a divorce in 1956, Joyce's career was close to being over. She spent her later years enjoying hobbies and relishing what was left of her Hollywood fame. Her death at the age of 90 in 1997 went unnoticed by the entertainment world, but her career will always be remembered by movie buffs.

Watch Joyce (@ 25 min.)


Great Links on Joyce:

Joyce Compton Shrine

FanPix Gallery of Joyce Compton

Joyce on Wikipedia

Joyce on IMDB

Joyce Compton Merchandise

Welcome

A bit part; what is that exactly, you say?

Well, a bit part is a supporting actor role with at least one line of dialogue. That's the definition according to Wikipedia. But to old movie lovers, a bit part player could be the most memorable part of the whole film. Even if they were only in one movie, said one line, or didn't say anything at all, we remember them all these years later.

This blog is dedicated to those guys; the ones we never hear about anymore. The actors or actresses whose star didn't shine as brightly as it could have.

Please join me each day as I post a new profile on our favorite bit players. Pictures, bios, movie clips and more.