Myrna Darby — Actress, Sportswoman: Figure Skater, American

Myrna Darby photo 1 — American, Caucasian

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Myrna Darby

Actress Sportswoman: Figure Skater

Born: Apr 10, 1908
nationality: American

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Biography

About Myrna Darby

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Myrna Darby, an American actress and figure skater, died at just 21 years old. Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, she attended business school and worked briefly as a stenographer. Her stage debut came in a Pittsburgh production of Abie's Irish Rose, and at seventeen she moved to New York, where she won a newspaper beauty contest. Florenz Ziegfeld spotted her and cast her in the Ziegfeld Follies, where she went on to star in Whoopee, Rio Rita, and Rosalie. Critics called her the most beautiful woman ever to appear in the Follies.

Beyond the stage, Myrna posed nude and appeared in ads for Lucky Strike cigarettes. But she struggled with her weight and began exercising daily to stay thin. In 1927, she fell for a married pianist named George A. Walsh. When his wife found out, she filed for divorce and accused Myrna of stealing her husband. The scandal was front-page news, and some papers labeled Myrna a "home wrecker." She wanted to marry George, but he went back to his wife.

In the spring of 1929, Myrna got engaged to a British millionaire, but he broke her heart by marrying someone else. That July, while vacationing in Europe, she suffered a severe sunburn that weakened her. Over two months, her health declined, and she was hospitalized with a tonsil infection. She died on September 26, 1929, from an inflammation of the heart caused by over-exercising. She was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. After her death, it came out that an admirer named Larry Fay had quietly paid all her hospital bills.

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Frequently asked

What led to Myrna Darby's death at age 21?

She was weakened by a severe sunburn in July 1929, then developed a tonsil infection. Her doctor said she died from an inflammation of the heart caused by over-exercising.

How did Myrna Darby get discovered?

She won a newspaper beauty contest in New York at age seventeen, which led to Florenz Ziegfeld hiring her for the Follies.

What was Myrna Darby's connection to George A. Walsh?

In 1927 she had an affair with married pianist George A. Walsh. His wife's divorce suit accused Myrna of stealing her husband, sparking a scandal, but George reconciled with his wife.

Did you know

Myrna Darby was a sportswoman in figure skating, a rare combination with her acting career.
After her death, an admirer named Larry Fay was revealed to have paid all her hospital bills.