Marjorie Ray(1890-1924)
- Actress
Marjorie Ray was born in July of 1890 in Kansas City, Missouri. Her father, George Ray, was a farmer and she was one of eight children. When she was a teenager she went to New York City to become an actress. Marjorie joined comedian Dan Russell's popular show The Matinee Girls. She quickly fell in love with Dan, who was fifteen years older than her. They got married and their son, James Dunn, was born in December of 1909. Since Marjorie was busy working she left her son with her mother. Tragedy struck in May of 1910 when five month old James died from bronchitis and malnutrition. She spent the net several years performing in vaudeville with her husband. Both Marjorie and Dan were signed by L-KO productions in 1917. The couple costarred in the comedies Shot In The Excitement, The Battles Of Let Go, and Two Gun Trixie.
She was often billed as "Mrs. Dan Russell". Unfortunately by 1921 her film career and her marriage to Dan were over. Marjorie continued to perform on stage and spent time working in Mexico City. In 1923 she was joined the Colonial Theater stock company in San Diego. Sadly she had become addicted to morphine and opium. One night in July of 1924 she was unable to find a syringe and used a safety pin and eyedropper to get high. She contracted tetanus but continued to perform nightly even though she was sick. Tragically she died on July 22, 1924 at the young age of thirty-four. More than four hundred friends and fans attended her funeral. Marjorie was buried in Texas wearing her favorite stage dress. Her ex-husband Dan Russell died just eight months later following an ulcer operation.
She was often billed as "Mrs. Dan Russell". Unfortunately by 1921 her film career and her marriage to Dan were over. Marjorie continued to perform on stage and spent time working in Mexico City. In 1923 she was joined the Colonial Theater stock company in San Diego. Sadly she had become addicted to morphine and opium. One night in July of 1924 she was unable to find a syringe and used a safety pin and eyedropper to get high. She contracted tetanus but continued to perform nightly even though she was sick. Tragically she died on July 22, 1924 at the young age of thirty-four. More than four hundred friends and fans attended her funeral. Marjorie was buried in Texas wearing her favorite stage dress. Her ex-husband Dan Russell died just eight months later following an ulcer operation.
