Marian McKnight

Marian McKnight (born December 19, 1936) is a former American beauty pageant winner.

Marian McKnight
McKnight at 1957 Florida Products Festival
Born (1936-12-19) December 19, 1936
TitleMiss America 1957
PredecessorSharon Ritchie
SuccessorMarilyn Van Derbur
Spouse(s)
(m. 1958)
Children2

Pageantry

She earned the 1957 Miss America title with a Marilyn Monroe act in the talent portion. She later worked with Monroe's ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio, for a Virginia supplier of military bases. Despite the contention of Monroe biographer Donald Spoto, McKnight denied that she and DiMaggio were romantically involved.[1][2]

Career

In 1967, McKnight played Jack's mother in Hanna-Barbera's live action version of Jack and the Beanstalk, an Emmy Award-winning film directed by Gene Kelly, in which he also appeared as Jeremy the Peddler.[3]

She appeared in an episode of The Love Boat in 1984, along with Jean Bartel, Miss America 1943; Nancy Fleming, Miss America 1961; and Vanessa L. Williams, Miss America 1984.

Personal life

She married actor Gary Conway in 1958 after meeting at UCLA. They have two children (Gareth and Kathleen) and are the owners of Carmody McKnight winery.[2][4]

References

  1. South Carolina's first Miss America, Marian McKnight The Hartsville Messenger, May 20, 2005 (removed from site)
  2. Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
  3. Jack and the Beanstalk (1967 TV Movie), Full Cast & Crew, imdb.com
  4. "Miss America: Road to Success or Heartbreak?".
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Sharon Ritchie
Miss America
1957
Succeeded by
Marilyn Van Derbur
Preceded by
Martha Chestnut
Miss South Carolina
1956
Succeeded by
Cecilia Colvert


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.