Nydia Westman

Nydia Eileen Westman (February 19, 1902 – May 23, 1970) was an American actress and singer of stage, screen, and television.

Nydia Westman
Westman in Manhattan Tower (1932)
Born
Nydia Eileen Westman

(1902-02-19)February 19, 1902
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 23, 1970(1970-05-23) (aged 68)
Resting placeOakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Chatsworth, California
OccupationActor
Years active1932–1970
Spouse(s)
Salathiel Robert Sparks, aka Robert S. Sparks
(m. 1930; div. 1937)
ChildrenKate Williamson

Early years

Westman's parents, Theodore and Lily (Wren) Westman were active in vaudeville in her native New York City. In addition to their working together on stage, her mother was a writer and her father was a composer. She attended the Professional Children's School.[1] Until 1921, she performed on stage only with her family.[2]

Career

Westman's career ranged from episodic appearances on TV series such as That Girl and Dragnet and uncredited bit roles in movies to appearances in films such as Craig's Wife, which starred Rosalind Russell, and the first film version of Little Women.

Westman's screen debut came in Strange Justice (1932). She appeared in 31 films in the 1930s.[1]

She appeared as the housekeeper Mrs. Featherstone in the 1962–1963 ABC series, Going My Way, which starred Gene Kelly and Leo G. Carroll as Roman Catholic priests in New York City.

Westman's first Broadway play was Pigs (1924); her last was Midgie Purvis (1961).[3]

Personal life

Westman was married to Robert Sparks, a producer, from 1930 until 1937; they had a daughter, actress Kate Williamson.[1]

Death

Westman died of cancer at the age of 68 in Burbank, California. She was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Chatsworth, California.[4]

Selected filmography

Film performances
YearTitleRoleNotes
1932Strange JusticeGwen
Manhattan TowerMiss Wood
1933From Hell to HeavenSue Wells
King of the JungleSue
BondageIrma
The Way to LoveAnnette
Little WomenMamie
Cradle SongSister Sagrario
1934Two AloneCorie
Success at Any PriceDinah
The Trumpet BlowsCarmela Ramirez
Manhattan Love SongAnnette
Ladies Should ListenSusie Flamberg
One Night of LoveMuriel
Sweet AdelineNellie
1935Captain HurricaneGertieUncredited
Dressed to ThrillAnne Trepied
A Feather in Her HatEmily Judson
1936Three Live GhostsPeggy 'Peg' Woofers
The Invisible RayBriggsUncredited
The Gorgeous HussyMaybelle
Craig's WifeMazie
Rose BowlSusie Reynolds
Pennies from HeavenSlavey
1937Bulldog Drummond Comes Back
When Love Is Young'Dotty' Leonard
Bulldog Drummond's RevengeGwen Longworth
1938The Goldwyn FolliesAda
The First Hundred YearsMidge
Bulldog Drummond's PerilGwen Longworth
When Tomorrow ComesLulu
1939The Cat and the CanaryCicily
1940Forty Little MothersMadamoiselle Cynthia Cliche
HullabalooLulu Perkins
1941The Bad ManAngela Hardy
The Chocolate SoldierLiesel
1942The Remarkable AndrewMiss Van Buren
They All Kissed the BrideSecretary
1943Hers to HoldNurse Willing
Princess O'RourkeMrs. BowersUncredited
1944Her Primitive ManAunt Penelope
1947The Late George ApleyJane Willing
1948MickeyMiss Mabel AdamsUncredited
The Velvet TouchSusan Crane
1962Don't Knock the TwistAmy
1963For Love or MoneyMarthaUncredited
1964Mail Order BrideSalvation Army band memberUncredited
1966The Ghost and Mr. ChickenMrs. Cobb
The ChaseMrs. Henderson
The SwingerAunt Cora
1967The Reluctant AstronautAunt Zana
1968The Horse in the Gray Flannel SuitWoman in elevatorUncredited
1970Rabbit, RunMrs. Smith

Television work

YearTitleRoleNotes
1947–1950Mary Kay and JohnnyMary Kay's mother
1948Actors Studio1 episode
1950The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre"The Veranda"
1949–1951The Philco Television Playhouse2 episodes
1951Young Mr. BobbinAunt Bertha
1952Robert Montgomery Presents1 episode
1953Broadway Television TheatreAunt Minnie Stickney1 episode
1954Philip Morris Playhouse1 episode
1954–1955Kraft Television Theatre5 episodes
1953-1955Studio OneMiss Twink/Cora Kinney
1955Ford Television TheatrePenny1 episode
1956Producers' ShowcaseSerena Applegate1 episode
1957The Kaiser Aluminum HourMrs. Lansing1 episode
The United States Steel HourMiss Prism1 episode
1960Play of the WeekArmande Mangebois1 episode
1962-1963Going My WayMrs. Featherstone30 episodes
1963Route 66Mrs. LeMay1 episode
1964The Addams FamilyMiss Morrison1 episode
The Alfred Hitchcock HourAunt Ida Maye1 episode
Perry MasonIvy Stanton1 episode
BonanzaMartha Washburn1 episode
Ben CaseyMrs. Simmons1 episode
1965The Donna Reed ShowMrs. Robbins1 episode
The MunstersElderly woman1 episode
F TroopMama Dobbs1 episode
My Favorite MartianMatilda1 episode
1965-1966Please Don't Eat The DaisiesAunt Alice/Emma2 episodes
1967That GirlLady"Rain, Snow, Ice"
Family AffairMrs. Elkins1 episode
1968PremiereWoman1 episode
1969LancerBridget McGloin1 episode
Adam-12Alice Hoyt1 episode
1967–1970Dragnet 1967Martha Anderson

Myrtle PerriwinkleMrs. MorrisonPhoebe KensingtonJennifer SaltMrs. Mary Burnside

6 episodes
1969Silent Night, Lonely NightMae
1970BewitchedMrs. Quigley1 episode

References

External links