Marian McKnight | |
|---|---|
.jpg) McKnight at 1957 Florida Products Festival | |
| Born | (1936-12-19)December 19, 1936 (age 88) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
| Title | Miss America 1957 |
| Predecessor | Sharon Ritchie |
| Successor | Marilyn Van Derbur |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Marian McKnight (born December 19, 1936) is an American actress, model and former beauty pageant winner. She was crownedMiss America in 1957.
She earned the 1957Miss America title with aMarilyn Monroe act in the talent portion. She later worked with Monroe's ex-husband,Joe DiMaggio, for aVirginia supplier of military bases. Despite the contention of Monroe biographer Donald Spoto, McKnight denied that she and DiMaggio were romantically involved.[1][2]
In 1967, McKnight played Jack's mother inHanna-Barbera'slive action version ofJack and the Beanstalk, anEmmy Award-winning film directed byGene Kelly, in which he also appeared as Jeremy the Peddler. Her voice was dubbed byJanet Waldo so she would sound as well as resemble the animated Princess Serena.[3]
She appeared in an episode ofThe Love Boat in 1984, along withJean Bartel, Miss America 1943;Nancy Fleming, Miss America 1961; andVanessa L. Williams, Miss America 1984.
McKnight married actorGary Conway in 1958 after meeting atUCLA. They have two children (Gareth and Kathleen).
McKnight and Conway were the former owners of Carmody McKnight winery.[2][4]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Miss America 1957 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Martha Chestnut | Miss South Carolina 1956 | Succeeded by Cecilia Colvert |
 | ThisSouth Carolina-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | This biography article about a United States contestant in a beauty pageant is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |