Madge Kennedy's journey to stardom began in 1906 when she traveled to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming an illustrator at the prestigious Art Students League. However, her artistic endeavors took a dramatic turn when she landed a role in a student musical, leading to a full-time job in a traveling stock company. By 1912, Madge had already made a name for herself on Broadway, starring in the bedroom farce "Little Miss Brown". Over the next five years, she continued to find success in similar roles, cementing her status as a rising star.
In 1914, Madge's talents caught the attention of Sam Goldwyn, who signed her to a big movie contract with Goldwyn Pictures. Goldwyn, renowned for his publicity prowess, bestowed upon Madge the title of "winsome", a fitting description for her light and sweet comedies. During her time at Goldwyn, Madge appeared in a string of successful films, including "Baby Mine" (1917),"Our Little Wife" (1918),"The Kingdom of Youth" (1918),and "Dollars and Sense" (1920). Sharing a dressing room with the talented Mabel Normand, Madge became a fixture on the Goldwyn Pictures roster.
After 21 films with Goldwyn, Madge left the studio and appeared in a handful of films produced by her husband, Harold Bolster. Her credits during this period included "The Purple Highway" (1923) and "Bad Company" (1925). However, Madge's screen career was short-lived, and she eventually retired from acting to focus on her personal life.
Madge's retirement was short-lived, as she was coaxed out of retirement by George Cukor in 1952 to play the role of Judge Carroll in "The Marrying Kind". This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Madge's career as a character actress, with notable roles in films such as "Lust for Life" (1956),"The Catered Affair" (1956),"North by Northwest" (1959),and "The Day of the Locust" (1975). On television, Madge played the beloved role of Aunt Martha on "Leave It to Beaver" (1957),solidifying her status as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Madge Kennedy's remarkable journey spanned over six decades, from her early days as a student at the Art Students League to her later years as a character actress on the big and small screens.
