Background
Born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of attorney James H. Aye, she began her career at Balboa Studios in Long Beach and was later "discovered" by legendary moviemaker Mack Sennett who made her one his bathing beauties.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of attorney James H. Aye, she began her career at Balboa Studios in Long Beach and was later "discovered" by legendary moviemaker Mack Sennett who made her one his bathing beauties.
She is sometimes credited as Maryon Aye. She was selected as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1922. She was a capable dancer, a talent she exhibited in several films.
Marion was Larry Semon"s leading lady in The Hick and worked with Stan Laurel in The Weak-End Party.
She also appeared in eighteen western shorts opposite Bob Reeves. When she signed a long term film contract she became to first Hollywood star to agree to a morality clause.
Her last role was in the 1926 comedy Irene, starring Colleen Moore, although she continued to work in vaudeville. He died just seven months after their wedding when he contracted Spanish influenza.
Following retirement, she suffered isolation from the film industry, which had virtually forgotten her.
In 1935 she attempted suicide. There were several more attempts, ending with her successful suicide attempt in 1951 in Hollywood, California. On July 10, 1951, Aye was found in a "semi-conscious condition" after swallowing a handful of bi-chloride of mercury tablets in a motel room in Culver City, California.
She died eleven days later in A Los Angeles County Hospital.
Her father reported that she was despondent after failing to get a part in a television play. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), California.