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Cummings, Mary Elliott, 1917-2000

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1917 - 2000

Biographical History

Mary Elliott Cummings (1917-2000) was an actress and then a manager for her husband's, Robert Cummings, career.

Mary Elliott Daniels was born on October 25, 1917 in Gaffney, South Carolina to parents Hoyle Holmes Daniels and Eva Mae Good. She participated in singing, dancing and beauty contests throughout her youth, and was crowned South Carolina's Azalea Queen in 1935. She then went on to sing in nightclubs and became a model and actress in California for the beginnings of her early career. In 1942-1944, Mary participated in a tour in the South Pacific, entertaining the troops in World War II with various acting performances. On March 3, 1945, she married Hollywood actor Robert Cummings in Riverside, California. Once married, she left acting and became a mother of five children with Cummings. She also became the manager of her husband's financial investments. During the years of 1969-1970, the Cummings separated and divorced. She worked alongside many charity organizations throughout her life. She died on April 9, 2000 in Los Angeles, California.

Citation:
FamilySearch, via www, accessed January 13, 2020 (Mary Elliott Daniels; born on Oct. 25, 1917 in Gaffney to Hoyle and Eva Mae Daniels; active in singing, dancing and competing in contests in youth; won Azalea Queen in 1935; worked in nightclubs, was an actress and model; South Pacific tour; married Robert Cummings on March 3, 1945; charity; died April 9, 2000 in Los Angeles, CA)

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings, approximately 1890-1990 (manager of husband's financial dealings; mother of 5 children; divorced in 1969-1970)

Found in 34 Collections and/or Records:

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings papers on early life, approximately 1880-1961

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs, correspondence, and other manuscripts pertaining to the early careers and lives of Robert Cummings and Mary Elliot Cummings prior to their marriage in 1945. . Dates range from approximately 1880-1961.

Dates: approximately 1880-1961

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings papers on family life, 1944-1981

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 2
Scope and Contents Contains material documenting the everyday life of the Cummings family. Included are travel documents, photos, and scrapbooks from their many family vacations, school assignments and reports from the children's schools, and newspaper and magazine clippings publicizing Bob's career and family. Home videos of the Cummings family are also included. A large portion of the series contains correspondence and court records documenting the legal proceedings of Bob and Mary's divorce. Dated...
Dates: 1944-1981

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings papers on motion pictures, approximately 1940-1971

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 9
Scope and Contents

Materials include scripts, both annotated and plain, from various motion pictures in which Robert appeared. Also included are associated publicity, photographs, and film clips. Film locations include Hollywood, New York, Colorado, and Hong Kong. Dates range from 1942 to 1971.

Dates: approximately 1940-1971

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings papers on stage and radio, 1945-1973

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 11
Scope and Contents

Materials contain the correspondence, publicity, and photographs for Robert Cummings radio and stage productions. "The Wayward Stork," and "Generation," are a few that are included. Dates range from 1945 to 1973.

Dates: 1945-1973

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings papers on television shows, 1945-1990

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 10
Scope and Contents

Materials include scripts, photographs, and audio-visual material from Robert Cummings' television show, "The Bob Cummings Show" (1955-1959). Other television scripts are included together with the correspondence and contracts involving these shows. Dated 1945 to 1990.

Dates: 1945-1990

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings philanthropy , 1961-1971

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 8
Scope and Contents

Materials include papers and correspondence regarding both Robert and Mary's philanthropic work. Locations of these charities and works are the Hollywood Museum, and the Beverly Hills Library. Dates range from 1961 to 1971.

Dates: 1961-1971

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings photographs on aviation, 1947-1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs documenting Robert Cummings' involvement with aviation. Photographs document his own involvement as a licensed pilot as well as visits he made to aerospace stations and events. Dated 1947-1970.

Dates: 1947-1970

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings photographs on early life, approximately 1880-1950

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of Robert Cummings' childhood family and ancestors in Joplin, Missouri. Also included are photographs of Mary Elliott Cummings during her acting career and on tour in the South Pacific. Dated approximately 1880-1950.

Dates: approximately 1880-1950

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings photographs on family life, approximately 1944-1975

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 2 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs beginning with Bob and Mary's wedding and later detailing family vacations and important family events. Photographs also depict some of Bob's acting career and parties the family attended. Dated approximately 1944-1975.

Dates: approximately 1944-1975

Robert and Mary Elliott Cummings photographs on movies, approximately 1940-1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 2129 Series 9 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Materials contain photographs of Bob and various actors and actresses he worked with while filming various movies. Photographs are taken at the set of the film, and for publicity shots. Dates range from approximately 1940 to 1966.

Dates: approximately 1940-1966