Marjorie Riordan was an American actress best known for her roles in “Three Strangers,” “Mr. Skeffington,” and “The Hoodlum.” Born on January 24, 1921, in Washington, D.C., she had a diverse career that included both acting and psychology.
Personal and Family Life
Marjorie Riordan studied dramatics for two years at the University of Wisconsin before moving to Los Angeles, where she began modeling and acting. She was married twice, first to George Lumpkin from 1945 until January 1958, and then to Allan Schlaff, with whom she had a son named John, born in 1959. Allan Schlaff, a clinical psychologist, passed away in 1972.
Career
During World War II, she was recognized by the San Antonio Air Service Command as “The Girl We’d Most Like to Shoot the Works With.” In the early 1940s, Marjorie was discovered in Wisconsin and became a contract player at Warner Brothers. However, in the 1950s, feeling that acting was not fulfilling, she pursued graduate studies in speech pathology and clinical psychology, while continuing to act for several years before leaving the profession.
Death and Legacy
Marjorie Riordan passed away from breast cancer on March 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. She and her husband Allan Schlaff are interred together at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Her contributions to both the film industry and psychology leave a lasting legacy.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Three Strangers | 1946-01-28 | Janet Elliott |
| Mr. Skeffington | 1944-05-25 | Young Fanny |
| The Hoodlum | 1951-07-05 | Eileen |
| Pursuit to Algiers | 1945-10-26 | Sheila Woodbury |
| South of Monterey | 1946-06-15 | Maria Morales |
| Stage Door Canteen | 1943-06-24 | Jean |
| Parachute Nurse | 1942-08-06 | Wendie Holmes (as Marjorie Reardon) |
| Pardon My Sarong | 1942-08-07 | Girl on Bus with Tommy (uncredited) |