Marion Davies

Birth Name: Marion Cecilia Douras

Date of Birth: January 3, 1897

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States

Date of Death: September 22, 1961

Place of Death: Hollywood, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Irish

Marion Davies was an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and philanthropist.

She was the daughter of Rose C. (Reilly) and Bernard J. Douras, who was a lawyer and judge. Her father was born in New York, to Irish parents. Her mother also had Irish ancestry. She was raised in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Marion was the sister of singer and actress Reine Davies and actress Rosemary Davies, and the aunt of screenwriter and film director Charles Lederer and actress and writer Pepi Lederer, who were Reine’s children. After Reine took on the stage name Davies, Marion did as well.

Patricia Lake, a socialite, actress, and radio comedian, was formally the daughter of Marion’s sister Rosemary Davies and George Van Cleve, though she may in fact have been Marion’s daughter with her long-time partner, businessperson, newspaper publisher, and politician William Randolph Hearst. Marion was later married to sea captain Horace G. Brown, until her death.

Marion’s paternal grandfather was named Daniel Douras.

Marion’s paternal grandmother was named Katherine McCann.

Marion’s maternal grandfather was named Charles Reilly. Charles was born in Connecticut.

Marion’s maternal grandmother was named Mary. Mary was born in New York.

The internet has sometimes described Marion as having had Greek ancestry. This is not accurate.

Sources: Genealogy of Marion Davies – https://www.geni.com

Marion Davies on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Marion’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Marion’s paternal grandfather, Daniel Douras – https://www.familysearch.org