Mary Ellis, a promising soprano, was born May Belle Elsas on June 15, 1897, in New York City to a family of humble means. Her father, a successful paper merchant, and her mother, a gifted pianist, instilled in her a love for the arts.
Mary initially pursued painting before dedicating herself to singing. She studied with Madame Ashworth and was offered a multiple-year contract with the Metropolitan Opera company at the age of 21. She made her debut with Puccini's "Suor Angelica" in 1918 and went on to appear in numerous productions.
Mary's opera career was marked by several notable performances, including opposite Enrico Caruso in his final performance of "The Elixir of Love" in 1920. However, she left the Met in 1922 to pursue a career in legitimate theater, joining the David Belasco theatre company.
Mary's transition to Broadway was successful, with notable performances in "The Merchant of Venice," "Casanova," and "The Merry Wives of Gotham." She became a full-fledged star with her portrayal of the titular heroine in Hammerstein's operetta "Rose-Marie."
Mary's career was marked by a series of ups and downs, including career-threatening problems that prevented her from performing as a singer in America. She was forced to return to high drama in straight plays, appearing in numerous Broadway productions.
In 1931, Mary and her husband, Basil Sydney, moved to England, where she met with instantaneous success in O'Neill's epic drama "Strange Interlude." She also became a muse for Ivor Novello on the 30s British stage, starring in several successful productions.
Mary attempted to break into films, starring in two in 1934 and several more in the 1930s. However, she was unable to gain a strong footing in the film industry and retired from the screen.
Mary's personal life was marked by three marriages and a volunteer stint as a nurse during World War II. She continued to appear on the stage sporadically, including in several successful productions at the Old Vic.
After her husband's death in 1950, Mary appeared less frequently on stage, taking her last curtain call in "Mrs. Warren's Profession" in 1970. She published two autobiographies, "Those Dancing Years" and "Moments of Truth," and was seen briefly as late as the 1990s playing octogenarian roles.
Mary Ellis passed away on January 30, 2003, at the age of 105, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile performer.
