Claire Niesen | |
---|---|
![]() Niesen as Mary Noble in
Backstage Wife | |
Born | c. 1920 |
Died | October 4, 1963 | (aged 42–43)
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
Claire Niesen (c. 1920 – October 4, 1963) [1] was an American actress, primarily on radio.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, [2] she wanted to be an actress from age 4. [3]
She was valedictorian of her class at a high school in New York City [4] and attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Art. [5] She had experience in vaudeville before she began working in radio. [6]
Niesen debuted on radio on a small station when she was 15 years old, having roles in works by Ibsen and Shakespeare. [3] She starred on network soap operas for two decades. [7] She first acted on network radio in Joyce Jordan, M.D. [6] Her roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
Program | Role |
---|---|
Backstage Wife | Mary Noble |
Her Honor, Nancy James | Laura [8] |
The O'Neills | Peggy |
The Second Mrs. Burton | Terry Burton |
We Who Dream | Dream Girl [9] |
Source: Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960, [1] except as noted.
In his book, Historical Dictionary of American Radio Soap Operas, Jim Cox wrote: "Mary Noble's alter ego, Niesen, consistently projected the appealing inflections required by the role: invariably soft-spoken, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Her empathetic expressions contributed to winning the part and helping her keep it for the final 14 years the serial was on the air (1945-59)." [10]
Other programs in which Niesen was heard included Life Can Be Beautiful, The Right to Happiness, [1] Light of the World, Meet Miss Julia, Into the Light, The Man I Married, We, the People, March of Time and Manhattan at Midnight. [6]
Niesen's Broadway credits include The Talley Method (1940) and Cue for Passion (1940). [11]
In 1943, Niesen won the Philco Hall of Fame Award. [12]
Niesen married actor Melville Ruick March 11, 1949, in New York City. [3]
Niesen died of cancer in Encino, California on October 4, 1963. She was survived by her husband, a daughter and a sister. [13]
Claire Niesen | |
---|---|
![]() Niesen as Mary Noble in
Backstage Wife | |
Born | c. 1920 |
Died | October 4, 1963 | (aged 42–43)
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
Claire Niesen (c. 1920 – October 4, 1963) [1] was an American actress, primarily on radio.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, [2] she wanted to be an actress from age 4. [3]
She was valedictorian of her class at a high school in New York City [4] and attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Art. [5] She had experience in vaudeville before she began working in radio. [6]
Niesen debuted on radio on a small station when she was 15 years old, having roles in works by Ibsen and Shakespeare. [3] She starred on network soap operas for two decades. [7] She first acted on network radio in Joyce Jordan, M.D. [6] Her roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
Program | Role |
---|---|
Backstage Wife | Mary Noble |
Her Honor, Nancy James | Laura [8] |
The O'Neills | Peggy |
The Second Mrs. Burton | Terry Burton |
We Who Dream | Dream Girl [9] |
Source: Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960, [1] except as noted.
In his book, Historical Dictionary of American Radio Soap Operas, Jim Cox wrote: "Mary Noble's alter ego, Niesen, consistently projected the appealing inflections required by the role: invariably soft-spoken, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Her empathetic expressions contributed to winning the part and helping her keep it for the final 14 years the serial was on the air (1945-59)." [10]
Other programs in which Niesen was heard included Life Can Be Beautiful, The Right to Happiness, [1] Light of the World, Meet Miss Julia, Into the Light, The Man I Married, We, the People, March of Time and Manhattan at Midnight. [6]
Niesen's Broadway credits include The Talley Method (1940) and Cue for Passion (1940). [11]
In 1943, Niesen won the Philco Hall of Fame Award. [12]
Niesen married actor Melville Ruick March 11, 1949, in New York City. [3]
Niesen died of cancer in Encino, California on October 4, 1963. She was survived by her husband, a daughter and a sister. [13]