Margaret Alexis Smith (June 8, 1921 â€" June 9, 1993) was a
Canadian-born stage, film, and television actress and singer. She
appeared in several major Hollywood films in the 1940s and had a
notable career on Broadway in the 1970s, winning a Tony Award in 1972
for the Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical Follies.Smith was born
in Penticton, British Columbia to Gladys Mabel Fitz-Simmons (a
Canadian) and Alexander Smith (a Scot). Her family moved to Los
Angeles when she was about a year old. Her parents both became
naturalized U.S. citizens in 1939, through which she derived her
United States citizenship.Smith grew up in Los Angeles, attending
Hollywood High School along with other future talents, including
actress Nanette Fabray. Smith made her professional debut performing
ballet at the Hollywood Bowl. She was discovered in 1940 at Los
Angeles City College, acting in a school production, by a Warner
Brothers' talent scout.After being discovered by a talent scout while
attending college, Smith was signed to a contract by Warner Bros. Her
earliest film roles were uncredited bit parts, and it took several
years for her career to gain momentum. Her first credited role was in
the feature film Dive Bomber (1941), playing the female lead opposite
Errol Flynn. She appeared with her future husband Craig Stevens in
Steel Against the Sky (1941). Her appearance in The Constant Nymph
(1943) was well-received and led to bigger parts.
Canadian-born stage, film, and television actress and singer. She
appeared in several major Hollywood films in the 1940s and had a
notable career on Broadway in the 1970s, winning a Tony Award in 1972
for the Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical Follies.Smith was born
in Penticton, British Columbia to Gladys Mabel Fitz-Simmons (a
Canadian) and Alexander Smith (a Scot). Her family moved to Los
Angeles when she was about a year old. Her parents both became
naturalized U.S. citizens in 1939, through which she derived her
United States citizenship.Smith grew up in Los Angeles, attending
Hollywood High School along with other future talents, including
actress Nanette Fabray. Smith made her professional debut performing
ballet at the Hollywood Bowl. She was discovered in 1940 at Los
Angeles City College, acting in a school production, by a Warner
Brothers' talent scout.After being discovered by a talent scout while
attending college, Smith was signed to a contract by Warner Bros. Her
earliest film roles were uncredited bit parts, and it took several
years for her career to gain momentum. Her first credited role was in
the feature film Dive Bomber (1941), playing the female lead opposite
Errol Flynn. She appeared with her future husband Craig Stevens in
Steel Against the Sky (1941). Her appearance in The Constant Nymph
(1943) was well-received and led to bigger parts.
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