Background
The daughter of a doctor and his wife, Reynolds was born Marjorie Goodspeed in Buhl, Idaho.
The daughter of a doctor and his wife, Reynolds was born Marjorie Goodspeed in Buhl, Idaho.
She attended Los Angeles High School.
She acted under the names of both Goodspeed and as Marjorie Moore. She began taking dancing lessons when she was 4 years old. When she was 3 years old, her family moved to Los Angeles, California.
Beginning at age 6, Reynolds was a featured child actress in such silent films as Scaramouche (1923).
Her first speaking role was in Murder in Greenwich Village (1937). She appeared in bit parts in numerous films including Gone with the Wind (1939).
That same year, in The Fatal Hour, Reynolds appeared for Monogram Pictures as a reporter on the trail of Boris Karloff"s detective James Lee Wong, and opposite Grant Withers as a cop. Perhaps her best-known film was Holiday Inn (1942), which introduced the classic song "White Christmas".
She performed the song both as a duet with Bing Crosby and later in a solo performance, although her singing was dubbed by Martha Mears.
The movie also showcased her dancing ability. She also had major roles in Fritz Language"s Ministry of Fear (1944) and in the movie Up in Mabel"s Room (1944). Reynolds starred with Abbott and Costello in the supernatural comedy The Time of Their Lives (1946).
Her career progression was hindered by the premature death of her mentor, Mark Sandrich.
She was cast in a supporting role in Mario Lanza"s film debut, That Midnight Kiss (1949 film). She later appeared in the National Broadcasting Company version of the television series The Life of Riley (1953–1958) and appeared on 3 episodes of the television series Leave it to Beaver (1960–1963).
Reynolds has a star in the section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1525 Vine Street. On February 1, 1997, having suffered from congestive heart disease, she collapsed and died in Manhattan Beach, California, while walking her dog.
She was 79 years old.
She was survived by one daughter.