Marvel Rea was an American actress who is best known for her roles in films like A Clever Dummy, The Heart Snatcher, and Her Nature Dance. Born Marvel Luciel Rea on November 9, 1901, in Ainsworth, Nebraska, she moved to California as a child and started her acting career in the silent film era.
Personal and Family Life
Marvel Rea married banker Henry Page Wells in 1918, but their marriage ended in divorce less than a year later due to his struggles with drug addiction. In 1936, she married Edwin J. Wilkinson, but their time together was overshadowed by a traumatic event. Marvel was kidnapped and assaulted by three men shortly after their marriage, an experience that would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Career
Marvel appeared in over thirty films throughout her career, which included roles in productions such as The Summer Girls and Yankee Doodle in Berlin. She became famous as a Mack Sennett bathing beauty, but she stepped away from acting in 1921, with her last performance in the short film For Land’s Sake. Despite her involvement in the film industry, she never achieved the major stardom that she aspired to.
Death and Legacy
Marvel Rea tragically took her own life on June 17, 1937, at the age of 35 by ingesting ant poison. Her death followed a period of emotional distress after her horrific kidnapping and assault. She is buried at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California, leaving behind a legacy marked by both her talent and her struggles.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| A Clever Dummy | 1917-07-15 | Minor Role |
| The Heart Snatcher | 1920-03-01 | |
| A Fresh Start | 1920-06-27 | |
| Yankee Doodle in Berlin | 1919-03-02 | Minor Role |
| Her Nature Dance | 1917-04-08 | Dancing Girl (uncredited) |
| Why Beaches Are Popular | 1919-05-10 | Bathing Girl |
| The Simp | 1920-10-23 |