Margie Stewart

Margie Stewart (December 14, 1919 – April 26, 2012) was the official United States Army poster girl during World War II.[1][2] She appeared on twelve posters, of which a total of 94 million copies were distributed.[1][2]

Margie Stewart
Born(1919-12-14)December 14, 1919
Wabash, Indiana, U.S.
DiedApril 26, 2012(2012-04-26) (aged 92)
Burbank, California, U.S.
OccupationModel/Actress
Years active1939–1945
Spouse(s)Jerry Jeroske (later Johnson) (1945–2003; his death); 1 child

She was born in Wabash, Indiana and attended Indiana University. She became a model and appeared in about 20 RKO movies, often in uncredited roles.[1][2] Among her roles was that of Marjorie Forrester, Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve's niece, in several films about The Great Gildersleeve.[3]

In addition to appearing in the posters, Stewart toured the U.S. as one of the four members of a group called the Bondbardiers, accompanied by various Hollywood stars, to sell war bonds. In 1945, she toured Europe and was one of the first civilians to enter Germany after the end of the war. Her appearance in London's Hyde Park "caused gridlock." [1][2]

Modeling

Described as "the U.S. military's official pinup" during World War II,[4] Stewart worked as a model for posters to boost the morale of men in the United States armed forces during that war. A 1943 news brief noted, "Though she quit as a poster model to become a movie starlet ... Margie Stewart will ... appear on two special posters to be circulated by the army among overseas troops -- for morale effect."[5] In 1944, Stewart was described in a photo caption as "credited with being the favorite poster girl of men in the U.S. Army."[6] She also posed for posters on the home front, "promoting everything from war bonds to security."[7]

She once estimated that more than 94 million of her posters were distributed worldwide during the war.[4]

Later life

Stewart and her husband lived in Studio City, California, and produced concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. She also did volunteer work at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.[4]

Personal life

In 1945, she married Jerry Jeroske, an army captain. The Jeroskes later changed their last name to Johnson. They had one child, Stephen, and three grandchildren. Jerry Johnson died in 2003.[1][2]

Death

Stewart's death from pneumonia occurred April 26, 2012, at a hospital in Burbank, California. Survivors included a son, Stephen Johnson, and three grandchildren.[4]

Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
1942Here We Go AgainGirl Guide[8]Uncredited
1943The Falcon Strikes BackBellhop[4]Uncredited
1943Gildersleeve's Bad DayBarbara - Girl at Party[9]Uncredited
1943BombardierMamie Foster[10]Uncredited
1943Mexican Spitfire's Blessed EventMinor Role[9]Uncredited
1943The Fallen SparrowDancer[9]Uncredited
1943The Falcon and the Co-edsPan[9]Uncredited
1943Around the WorldMarjorie[11]Uncredited
1944Show BusinessMary[9]Uncredited
1944Gildersleeve's GhostMarjorie Forrester[12]
1944Step LivelyFlorist[9]Uncredited
1944Bride by MistakeMinor Role[9]Uncredited
1944Music in ManhattanAirplane Hostess[9]Uncredited
1944Heavenly DaysBit Part[9]Uncredited
1944The Falcon in HollywoodGirl[9]Uncredited
1944NevadaDancer[9]Uncredited
1944Mademoiselle FifiPamela[9]Uncredited
1945Betrayal from the EastCarter's Showgirl[9]Uncredited
1945Having Wonderful CrimeGuest[9]Uncredited
1945Wonder ManGoldwyn Girl[9]Uncredited, (final film role)

References
  1. "Margie Stewart, WWII Pinup Girl With Wholesome Air, Dies at 92". New York Times. May 6, 2012.
  2. "Margie Stewart". Daily Telegraph. May 3, 2012.
  3. "Necrology for 2012". Nostalgia Digest. 39 (2): 24–31. Spring 2013.
  4. Shapiro, T. Rees (May 8, 2012). "Obituary: Margie Stewart, U.S. military's official pinup in World War II". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  5. "Keeping Posted". Waco Tribune-Herald. September 12, 1943. p. 25. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Favorite". The Paris News. July 4, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Bloomfield, Gary L.; Shain, Stacie L. (2004). Duty, Honor, Applause: America's Entertainers in World War II. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press. p. 413. ISBN 1-59228-550-3.
  8. "(photo caption)". The San Bernardino County Sun. September 27, 1942. p. 24. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Lentz, Harris M. III (2013). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 275. ISBN 978-0-7864-7063-1. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  10. "Movie Stars Sing At Juarez Breakfast". El Paso Herald-Post. May 17, 1943. p. 9. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Kay Kyser Musical On Ritz Calendar". The Anniston Star. January 2, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Fayette Theater". Washington C.H. Record-Herald. October 21, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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