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Edith Motridge

1913 – 2007

American swimmer

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About Edith Motridge

Lived 1913 – 2007 (aged 94). Edith Motridge was an American swimmer.

Edith Segal Motridge (July 30, 1913 – November 1, 2007), also known by her married name Edith Polster or as Edith Motridge Segal, was an American competitive swimmer who represented the United States in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, coming fourth in the women's 100-meter backstroke. After her competitive swimming career, she became Esther Williams' stand-in when filming Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movies, although she also had minor roles in films such as Cynthia and The Cobweb (1955).

After Motridge's swimming and film career, she was involved in philanthropic efforts with her husband, including a Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Foundation scholarship. She died in Fairbanks Ranch in 2007.

Early life Motridge was born in San Francisco on July 30, 1913, later attending Hollywood High School and the University of Southern California. Due to Hollywood High School not having a girls' swim team, she trained with the boys' team, and later with the Los Angeles Athletic Club. She was also the US champion in the 100m backstroke in 1939 Along with Esther Williams, she set the national record in either the 300m or 300-yard medley in 1939.

Film After her competitive swimming career, Motridge worked on movies at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) as Esther Williams' stunt double and stand-in. She worked on all swimming films made by MGM. She went on to play a role in The Harvey Girls in 1946, then played a teacher in the 1947 film Cynthia. She played a nurse in 1955's The Cobweb. In 1956, she had an acting role in The Swan.

Personal life In 1969, Motridge married Leonard Polster. started in the late 1980s which was reported in 1999 to give $25,000–$30,000 scholarships to students in North County, California.

Motridge died on November 1, 2007, at her home in Fairbanks Ranch.

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Important facts

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Also known as
Edith Segal Motridge, Edith Polster

People in Edith Motridge's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Edith Motridge's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Edith Motridge?

American swimmer

When was Edith Motridge born?

Edith Motridge was born on 30 July 1913 in San Francisco.

When did Edith Motridge die?

Edith Motridge died on 1 November 2007 in Fairbanks Ranch.

What was Edith Motridge's occupation?

Edith Motridge was a swimmer.

What nationality was Edith Motridge?

Edith Motridge was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Edith Motridge

· Wikidata: Q5338627

· DBpedia: Edith Motridge

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Edith Motridge. https://biography.guide/edith-motridge/

MLA: "Edith Motridge." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/edith-motridge/.

Chicago: "Edith Motridge." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/edith-motridge/.

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