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Margie Stewart

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Margie Stewart
First of the U.S. Army's Margie posters
Born(1919-12-14)December 14, 1919
DiedApril 26, 2012(2012-04-26) (aged 92)
Occupations
Years active1939–1945
SpouseJerry Jeroske (later Johnson) (1945–2003; his death)
Children1

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]

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 Gildersleeve's Ghost.[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

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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

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Stewart and her husband lived in Studio City, California, and produced concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.[8] She also did volunteer work at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.[4]

Personal life

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In 1945, she married Jerry Jeroske, an army captain. The Jeroskes later changed their last name to Johnson.[8] They had one child, Stephen, and three grandchildren. Jerry Johnson died in 2003.[1][2]

Death

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Stewart died of pneumonia on April 26, 2012, at a hospital in Burbank, California.[4]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1942 Here We Go Again Girl Guide[9] Uncredited
1943 The Falcon Strikes Back Bellhop[4] Uncredited
1943 Gildersleeve's Bad Day Barbara - Girl at Party[10] Uncredited
1943 Bombardier Mamie Foster[11] Uncredited
1943 Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event Minor Role[10] Uncredited
1943 The Fallen Sparrow Dancer[10] Uncredited
1943 The Falcon and the Co-eds Pan[10] Uncredited
1943 Around the World Marjorie[12] Uncredited
1944 Show Business Mary[10] Uncredited
1944 Gildersleeve's Ghost Marjorie Forrester[13]
1944 Step Lively Florist[10] Uncredited
1944 Bride by Mistake Minor Role[10] Uncredited
1944 Music in Manhattan Airplane Hostess[10] Uncredited
1944 Heavenly Days Bit Part[10] Uncredited
1944 The Falcon in Hollywood Girl[10] Uncredited
1944 Nevada Dancer[10] Uncredited
1944 Mademoiselle Fifi Pamela[10] Uncredited
1945 Betrayal from the East Carter's Showgirl[10] Uncredited
1945 Having Wonderful Crime Guest[10] Uncredited
1945 Wonder Man Goldwyn Girl[10] Uncredited (final film role)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Margie Stewart, WWII Pinup Girl With Wholesome Air, Dies at 92". New York Times. May 6, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Margie Stewart". Daily Telegraph. May 3, 2012.
  3. ^ "Necrology for 2012". Nostalgia Digest. 39 (2): 24–31. Spring 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e 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. Open access icon
  6. ^ "Favorite". The Paris News. July 4, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  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. ^ a b "Uncle Sam's modest wartime pin-up girl immensely popular with soldiers". The Sydney Morning Herald. May 20, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  9. ^ "(photo caption)". The San Bernardino County Sun. September 27, 1942. p. 24. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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.
  11. ^ "Movie Stars Sing At Juarez Breakfast". El Paso Herald-Post. May 17, 1943. p. 9. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ "Kay Kyser Musical On Ritz Calendar". The Anniston Star. January 2, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ "Fayette Theater". Washington C.H. Record-Herald. October 21, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved May 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
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