Marilyn Knowlden
Known for Acting · 27 credits
- Born
- 1926-05-12
- Died
- 2025-09-15
- Place of birth
- Oakland, California, USA
- Also known as
- Marilynne Knowlden
Biography
In 1931, a one-day effort by Marilyn Knowlden's attorney father led to an interview, a next-day screen test and a large part for four-year-old Marilyn in one of the early "talkies", Women Love Once (1931). A ten-year movie career followed, where she played the daughter of such stars as Claudette Colbert, Katharine Hepburn, Allan Jones and Norma Shearer.
She appeared in some of the screen's great classics, including Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), David Copperfield (1935) and Les Misérables (1935), in which she played the child Cosette. She appeared in six films nominated by the Academy for Best Production of the Year and performed with such distinguished actors as Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Greta Garbo and Bette Davis.
College, marriage and four children followed. A composer and playwright as well as an actress, she wrote the music and lyrics for ten produced musicals, including three for which she also wrote the scripts. The latter included her musical, "I'm Gonna Get You in the Movies!" for which she drew heavily on her own early experience.
After a 50-year hiatus, Marilyn returned to acting in 1994. She appeared in over 20 plays and musicals in San Diego County, including the role of Aunt Abby in "Arsenic and Old Lace," the leads in "Sorry, Wrong Number" and "Quilters," and Prof. Higgins' mother in "My Fair Lady." In 2011 Bear Manor published Marilyn Knowlden's autobiography "Little Girl in Big Pictures".
Knowlden died on September 15, 2025 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Eagle, Idaho.
Known For
Movies (27)
Marie Antoinette
1938
as Princesse Therese
Little Women
1933
as Meg’s Charge (uncredited)
Les Misérables
1935
as Little Cosette (as Marilynne Knowlden)
The Conquerors
1932
as Frances Standish, as a child
Anthony Adverse
1936
as Florence Udney
Slave Ship
1937
as Girl
David Copperfield
1935
as Agnes Wickfield as a Girl
Angels with Dirty Faces
1938
as Laury - as a Child
Imitation of Life
1934
as Jessie Pullman, Age 8 (uncredited)
Hidden Power
1939
as Imogene
Broadway Rhythm
1944
as Co-ed in Drugstore (uncredited)
All This, and Heaven Too
1940
as Marianna Van Horn (uncredited)
Easy to Take
1936
as Gwen Ferry
Show Boat
1936
as Kim as a Child
A Woman Rebels
1936
as Flora at Age 9 (uncredited)
As the Earth Turns
1934
as Esther
The World Changes
1933
as Young Selma (uncredited)
Call Her Savage
1932
as Ruth as a Girl (Uncredited)
Condemned to Live
1935
as Maria
The Way of All Flesh
1940
as Julie Kriza
Rainbow on the River
1936
as Lucille Layton
Husband's Holiday
1931
as Anne Boyd
The Cisco Kid
1931
as Annie Benton
Barefoot Boy
1938
as Julia Blaine
Just Around the Corner
1938
as Gwendolyn (uncredited)
An Evening with Edgar Guest
1938
as Ann
Women Love Once
1931
as Janet Fields
About Marilyn Knowlden
In 1931, a one-day effort by Marilyn Knowlden's attorney father led to an interview, a next-day screen test and a large part for four-year-old Marilyn in one of the early "talkies", Women Love Once (1931). A ten-year movie career followed, where she played the daughter of such stars as Claudette Colbert, Katharine Hepburn, Allan Jones and Norma Shearer. She appeared in some of the screen's great classics, including Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), David Copperfield (1935) and Les Misérables (1935), in which she played the child Cosette. She app… With 27 credits spanning from 1931 to 1944, Marilyn Knowlden has appeared in 27 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for Marilyn Knowlden movies, Marilyn Knowlden filmography, or the latest projects starring Marilyn Knowlden can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Marilyn Knowlden Movies
- Marie Antoinette (1938) — as Princesse Therese
- Little Women (1933) — as Meg’s Charge (uncredited)
- Les Misérables (1935) — as Little Cosette (as Marilynne Knowlden)
- The Conquerors (1932) — as Frances Standish, as a child
- Anthony Adverse (1936) — as Florence Udney
Where to Watch Marilyn Knowlden Films
Most Marilyn Knowlden movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Marilyn Knowlden, check our movies catalogue and browse page.