12 Facts About Marilyn Miller

Marilyn Miller was an accomplished tap dancer, singer and actress, and the combination of these talents endeared her to audiences.

Marilyn Miller died suddenly from complications of nasal surgery at age 37.

Marilyn Miller was born in 1898 in Evansville, Indiana, the youngest daughter of Edwin D Reynolds, a telephone lineman, and his first wife, the former Ada Lynn Thompson.

Marilyn Miller appeared in New York City for the Shuberts in the 1914 and 1915 editions of The Passing Show, a Broadway revue at the Winter Garden Theatre, as well as in The Show of Wonders and Fancy Free.

Marilyn Miller followed as a headliner in the Follies of 1919, dancing to Berlin's "Mandy" and reputedly became Ziegfeld's mistress, though this was never proven.

Marilyn Miller attained legendary status in the Ziegfeld production Sally with music by Jerome Kern, especially for her performance of Kern's "Look for the Silver Lining".

Marilyn Miller made only three films: adaptations of Sally, Sunny, and Her Majesty, Love, with W C Fields.

At the time of her death, Marilyn Miller was described as being in retirement.

In 1930, Marilyn Miller briefly was engaged to Michael Farmer, who later became a husband of Gloria Swanson.

Marilyn Miller had a long history of sinus infections, and her health was compromised by an increasing dependence on alcohol.

In mid-March 1936, Marilyn Miller entered New York's Doctors Hospital following a nervous breakdown, and a sinus condition.

Marilyn Miller was portrayed by Judy Garland in Till the Clouds Roll By, MGM's biopic of Jerome Kern.