Gwen Lee

Gwen Lee (born Gwendolyn Lepinski; November 12, 1904 – August 20, 1961) was an American stage and film actress. Lee began her career as a model before being discovered and signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She was typically cast in supporting roles. Lee appeared in over 60 films, and she retired in 1938.

Acting career Born to Mriette (née Kennedy) and Frank B. Lepinski in Hastings, Nebraska, Lee began her career as a department store model. She was discovered by director Monta Bell while appearing in a stage production. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925. The same year, she made her film debut in Lady of the Night, starring Norma Shearer. She followed with roles in Pretty Ladies, starring Zasu Pitts, His Secretary, and The Plastic Age, starring Clara Bow. In 1926, Lee was cast in The Lone Wolf Returns, starring Bert Lytell and Billie Dove.

In 1928, she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star. Lee continued her career with supporting roles in Laugh, Clown, Laugh and The Actress (both 1928). Her career continued for almost a decade into the era of sound movies. Lee played Marjory in Untamed (1929), with Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery. She appeared again with Crawford and Marie Prevost in the prison drama Paid (1930). In 1931 MGM released Gwen Lee from its roster.

Independent companies were often delighted to sign major-studio stars, particularly those who had the advantage of MGM exposure and publicity. Both Harry Carey and Edwina Booth, who co-starred in MGM's Trader Horn, signed with Nat Levine's humble Mascot studio after being dropped by MGM. Levine also signed MGM personality Gwen Lee to appear opposite football star Red Grange in the serial The Galloping Ghost (1931). From there Lee made the rounds of the independent studios, appearing in such diverse entertainments as the crime drama The Lawless Woman with former silent star Vera Reynolds, the Western Broadway to Cheyenne (1932) with Rex Bell, and the two-reel comedy Boy, Oh Boy (1932) with Andy Clyde.

Gwen Lee rejoined MGM in 1935 as a member of the studio's stock company. No longer given starring or featured roles, she was on hand to fill incidental parts as the need arose. In the first scene of The Marx Brothers' famous MGM feature A Night at the Opera, Groucho Marx hands a restaurant bill to his surprised dinner companion -- Gwen Lee. She also had small roles in MGM features of the mid- to late 1930s, as well as in the studio's Robert Benchley and Pete Smith comedy shorts.

Personal life Lee was sued by her mother Etta Lepinski, in March 1932. Lee was charged in a petition for guardianship. The lawsuit alleged that Lee was incompetent to handle her affairs, specifically she was incapable of managing her jewellery and personal property, valued in excess of $1,000 (about $17,208 in 2019). The case was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Lee's mother dropped the suit in April, citing improvement in her daughter's health. Later that same year, Lee was also sued by two clothiers for nonpayment.

On May 4, 1943, she married George Mence, Jr.

Death Lee died on August 20, 1961, age 56, from undisclosed causes in Reno, Nevada.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1925 Lady of the Night Molly's Friend Pretty Ladies Fay His Secretary Clara Bayne Lost film The Plastic Age Carl's girl Uncredited Time Flies An Adventuress Short film Credited as Gwendolyn Lee 1926 The Boy Friend Pettie Wilson Lost film The Lone Wolf Returns Liane De Lorme Upstage Dixie Mason There You Are! Anita Grant Lost film 1927 Women Love Diamonds Roberta Klein Heaven on Earth Claire Lost film Orchids and Ermine Ermintrude Twelve Miles Out Hulda Adam and Evil Gwen De Vere Lost film After Midnight Maizie Her Wild Oat Daisy 1928 Lucky Boy Mrs. Ellis Sharp Shooters Flossy Laugh, Clown, Laugh Lucretia The Actress Avonia Lost film Diamond Handcuffs Cecile Lost film A Thief in the Dark Flo Lost film Show Girl Nita Dugan The Baby Cyclone Jessie Lost film A Lady of Chance Gwen 1929 The Duke Steps Out Uncredited The Man and the Moment Viola Fast Company Rosie La Clerq Incomplete film Untamed Marjory The Hollywood Revue of 1929 Herself 1930 Chasing Rainbows Peggy Lord Byron of Broadway Bessie Free and Easy Participant in Bedroom Scene Alternative title: Easy Go Caught Short Manicurist Estrellados Herself Our Blushing Brides Mannequin Extravagance Sally Paid Bertha 1931 Inspiration Gaby The Lawless Woman Kitty Adams Traveling Husbands Mabel The Galloping Ghost Irene Courtland Julius Sizzer Cleo Short film The Pagan Lady Gwen Willis West of Broadway Maizie 1932 Alias Mary Smith Blossom Midnight Morals Dora Cobb Broadway to Cheyenne Mrs. Myrna Wallace Boy Oh Boy! Short film 1933 The Intruder Daisy Song of the Eagle Nails' Girl Uncredited Corruption Mae Meet the Baron Small role Uncredited 1934 City Park Maizie, the Hooker 1935 $20 a Week Ann Seymour One in a Million Kitty Kennedy Alternative title: Dangerous Appointment A Night at the Opera Driftwood's Dining Companion Uncredited 1936 Absolute Quiet Western Union Operator Uncredited How to Behave Restaurant Gossip Short film Uncredited Fury Mrs. Fred Garrett Uncredited Libeled Lady Switchboard Operator Uncredited My Dear Miss Aldrich Hat Saleswoman Uncredited 1937 Give Till It Hurts Telephone Solicitor Short filmUncredited Double Wedding Woman in Crowd Uncredited A Night at the Movies Cashier Short filmUncredited Candid Cameramaniacs Drowzina, Otto's Wife Short filmUncredited Mannequin Flo Uncredited 1938 Man-Proof Blonde Woman at Fight Uncredited Pete Smith Specialty: Penny's Party Herself Short film Paroled from the Big House Binnie Bell Alternative title: Main Street Girl