Marjorie Gateson, a Brooklyn-born actress, began her stage career in the chorus of "The Dove of Peace" in 1912, showcasing her elocution and poise skills honed under the guidance of her mother, a speech teacher. Her first featured role on Broadway came in 1913 with "The Little Cafe", marking the start of her successful musical comedy career.
Gateson's dramatic talents were first showcased in "So This is Politics" (also known as "Strange Bedfellows") in 1924, followed by notable performances in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Street Scene", "Pygmalion", and "Show Boat" in 1954, where she played the role of Parthy Ann Hawks, a character also portrayed by Agnes Moorehead in the 1951 film adaptation.
On screen, Gateson was notable for her portrayal of a jilted wife in "The Silver Lining" (1932),a rival to Mae West in "Goin' to Town" (1935),and as a society matron, Mrs. Winthrop LeMoyne, who takes boxing lessons from Harold Lloyd in "The Milky Way" (1936). Her performance in "Lady Killer" (1933) earned critical praise, with the New York Times noting her "customary polish and charm" on January 1, 1934.
Throughout her career, Gateson was an active member of the governing board of Actor's Equity, contributing to the organization's development and growth.