Mary Forbes - Actor Profile

Mary Forbes

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
7.5 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 30, 1882
Birth Place: Hornsey, Middlesex [now in Haringey, London], England, UK

About Mary Forbes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mary Forbes (1 January 1883 – 22 July 1974), born Ethel Louise Young, was a British-American film actress, based in the United States in her latter years, where she died. She appeared in more than 130 films between 1919 and 1958. Forbes was born in Hornsey, England. She made her first public appearance on the concert platform giving recitals. Her acting debut was in 1908 on the London stage at Aldwych Theatre. Her American stage debut came in Romance at Maxine Elliott's Theatre in 1913. She took over management of the Ambassadors Theatre in 1913 and had several years experience on stage in Britain and America before her appearances in Hollywood films. Two of her three children by her first marriage in the first quarter of 1904 to Ernest J. Taylor, Ralph and Dorothy Brenda, known as Brenda, were also actors. The middle child of the three, Phyllis Mary Taylor, was not in the acting business. Her second husband was British actor Charles Quartermaine, who married in 1925; the union ended in divorce. She married her third husband, Wesley Wall, an American businessman, in 1935; the couple remained married until her death in 1974. She became a naturalized United States citizen in 1943, with one of her character references being Lucile Webster Gleason, actress and wife of actor James Gleason.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Mary Forbes reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Romance

The majority of Mary Forbes's filmography leans towards the Romance genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 82% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Mary Forbes remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in You Can't Take It with You, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Mary Forbes Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Mary Forbes's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Mary Forbes.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1958 Houseboat British Society Woman (uncredited) Average Similar →
1948 You Gotta Stay Happy Aunt Martha Hit Similar →
1947 The Judge Steps Out Margaret (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1947 It Had to Be You Mrs. Kimberly (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1947 The Exile Second Court Lady Average Similar →
1947 Ivy Lady Crail (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1946 Terror by Night Lady Margaret Carstairs Hit Similar →
1945 Lady on a Train - Hit Similar →
1945 The Picture of Dorian Gray Lady Agatha Hit Similar →
1943 Jane Eyre Mrs. Eshton Hit Similar →
1943 Mr. Lucky War Relief Worker (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1943 Two Tickets to London Dame Dunne Hartley Average Similar →
1943 Sherlock Holmes in Washington Mrs. Pettibone Hit Similar →
1942 This Above All Vicar's Wife Hit Similar →
1941 Nothing But the Truth Mrs. Ralston Hit Similar →
1941 Back Street Mrs. Williams Hit Similar →
1940 All This, and Heaven Too Lady at the Theatre (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1940 Laddie Mrs. Anna Pryor Average Similar →
1939 Ninotchka Lady Lavenham (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1939 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Lady Conyngham Hit Similar →
1939 Outside These Walls Gertrude Bishop Super Hit Similar →
1939 Three Smart Girls Grow Up Mrs. Withers Hit Similar →
1939 Risky Business Mrs. Jameson Average Similar →
1939 You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Mrs. Bel-Goodie Hit Similar →
1938 You Can't Take It with You Mrs. Anthony P. Kirby Super Hit Similar →
1938 Always Goodbye Aunt Martha Marshall Hit Similar →
1937 The Awful Truth Mrs. Vance Hit Similar →
1937 Stage Door Cast of Stage Play Hit Similar →
1937 One Hundred Men and a Girl Concert Hall Patron Average Similar →
1937 Wee Willie Winkie Mrs. MacMonachie Hit Similar →
1937 Another Dawn Mrs. Lydia Benton Average Similar →
1936 Theodora Goes Wild Mrs. Wyatt (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1936 Wedding Present Mrs. Dodacker Hit Similar →
1936 The White Angel Lady Disapproving of Florence #1 (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1935 Captain Blood Mrs. Steed Hit Similar →
1935 Anna Karenina Princess Sorokina Hit Similar →
1935 Les Misérables Mlle. Baptiseme Hit Similar →
1935 Roberta (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1934 We Live Again Mrs. Kortchagin Hit Similar →
1934 Blind Date Mrs. Hartwell Hit Similar →
1934 Sadie McKee Mrs. Alderson (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1934 You Can't Buy Everything Kate Farley Hit Similar →
1933 Bombshell Mrs. Middleton Hit Similar →
1932 A Farewell to Arms Miss Van Campen Average Similar →
1931 Working Girls Mrs. Johnstone Hit Similar →
1931 Chances Mrs. Ingleside Hit Similar →
1930 Holiday Mrs. Pritchard Ames (uncredited) Average Similar →
1930 So This Is London Lady Worthing Hit Similar →
1929 Sunny Side Up Mrs. Cromwell Hit Similar →
1929 The Trespasser Mrs. Ferguson Hit Similar →

Mary Forbes - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Mary Forbes?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Mary Forbes is "You Can't Take It with You" with a rating of 7.5/10.

How many movies has Mary Forbes acted in?

Mary Forbes has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Mary Forbes?

Other notable films include "Outside These Walls", "Ninotchka", and "All This, and Heaven Too".