Marguerite Chapman, a small-town secretary and tomboy known as "Slugger", was persuaded by friends to pursue a career in modeling, which eventually led to her acting in over 30 films. Born in Chatham, New York, Chapman grew up with four brothers and never had aspirations to become a Hollywood star.
Instead, she started working as a typist and switchboard operator in White Plains, New York. Her beauty was repeatedly praised, and she became a John Powers model in New York City. After appearing on numerous magazine covers, studios invited her to Los Angeles, where she began her film career.
From 1940 to 1943, Chapman appeared in 18 movies, including comedies and war-themed films, as a member of the Warner Bros. singing and dancing Navy Blues Sextet. She was cast as the leading lady in Destroyer (1943) alongside Edward G. Robinson and Glenn Ford.
During World War II, Chapman entertained troops, promoted war bonds, and appeared in a string of war-themed films. By the 1950s, however, she had transitioned to supporting roles, most notably as Miss Morris in The Seven Year Itch (1955) alongside Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell.
As her film career slowed, Chapman made occasional television appearances and acted in small theaters. Her final film, The Amazing Transparent Man (1960),was a low-budget sci-fi film shot by cult director Edgar G. Ulmer in Texas.
Chapman was married and divorced twice, first to attorney G. Bentley Ryan and then to assistant director Richard Bremerkamp. Her acting career was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In later years, Chapman was offered the role of "Old Rose" Calver in Titanic (1997),but was too ill to accept, and the part went to Gloria Stuart instead.
