American actress and model (1915–1995)

Phyllis Brooks

3 min read
In 10 languages
5 images

Key facts

date of birthJuly 18, 1915

date of deathAugust 1, 1995

occupationactor, model, film actor

place of birthBoise

place of deathCape Neddick

spouseTorbert Macdonald

All data from the card 7

Born: July 18, 1915Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Died: August 1, 1995 (aged 80)Cape Neddick, Maine, U.S.
Occupations: Actress Model
Years active: 1934–1952
Known for: In Old ChicagoRebecca of Sunnybrook FarmThe UnseenThe Shanghai GestureLittle Miss BroadwayLady in the DarkCharlie Chan in Reno
Spouse: Torbert H. Macdonald (m. 1945; died 1976)
Children: 4

Phyllis Brooks (July 18, 1915 – August 1, 1995) was an American actress and model. She was born Phyllis Seiler in Boise, Idaho. Some sources have also inaccurately cited 1914 as her year of birth, but 1915 is the correct year according to Social Security records.

Career

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Modeling

Brooks was a model for two years before progressing to a career in film. She stated, "I started posing for photographers as a lark, and it was a lot of fun."

She had been known as the "Ipana Toothpaste Girl", due to her work for that product.

Film

Initially known as Mary Brooks, she began her career in films in 1934 at age 20, in I've Been Around. Brooks, who had about 30 performances in films, was a B-movie leading lady during the 1930s and 1940s, with roles in such films as In Old Chicago (1937), Little Miss Broadway (1938) and The Shanghai Gesture (1941).

She appeared in Sidney Toler's Charlie Chan series, in the Shirley Temple films Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and in Little Miss Broadway.

Stage

On Broadway, Brooks appeared in Stage Door (1936–37), Panama Hattie (1940–42), The Night Before Christmas (1941), and Round Trip (1945).

Wartime activities

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Brooks was reported (UK Sunday Telegraph December 1942) as being president of Parties Unlimited Inc. in an article about Hollywood at war. Along with actress Una Merkel and accompanied by film star Gary Cooper, Brooks was the first civilian woman to travel to the Pacific theater of war during World War II on a USO tour.

Personal life

Brooks was engaged at one time to Cary Grant. She married Torbert Macdonald on June 23, 1945, in Tarrytown, New York.

Brooks moved east to Cambridge, Massachusetts with her new husband in 1945 so that he could complete his studies at Harvard Law School. He had been a Harvard football captain and a decorated PT boat captain in World War II. Macdonald died in office in 1976. they had 4 children.