Web Quotableonline.com Frasescelebres.org Greatbookscollection.org

Una Merkel (December 10, 1903 in film|1903 –
January 2, 1986 in film|1986) was an United
States|American film actor|actress.

Born in Covington, Kentucky, Merkel resembled the
popular actress Lillian Gish, and her resemblance
allowed her to enter films in 1920 as Gish's
double in the film Way Down East.   She appeared
in several films during the silent movies|silent
era but spent most of her time in New York, New
York|New York working on Broadway.   She returned
to Hollywood and achieved her greatest success
with the advent of "talkies".  She played Ann
Rutledge in the 1930 film Abraham Lincoln
(movie)|Abraham Lincoln and during the 1930s
became a popular second lead in a number of films,
usually playing the wisecracking best friend of
the heroine.  

Her career went into decline during the 1940s and
although she continued working it was in less
prestigious productions.   She made a comeback as
a middle aged woman playing mothers and maiden
aunts, and in 1956 won a Tony Award for her role
in The Ponder Heart.  She was nominated for an
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her
role in Summer and Smoke (1961).  Her final film
role was in the 1966 Elvis Presley film Spinout.  

She died in Los Angeles, California.

Una Merkel has a star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame for her contributions to Motion Pictures, at
6230 Hollywood Boulevard.