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)
Burbank, California, U.S.
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

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

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
Year Title Role Notes
1932 Strange Justice Gwen
Manhattan Tower Miss Wood
1933 From Hell to Heaven Sue Wells
King of the Jungle Sue
Bondage Irma
The Way to Love Annette
Little Women Mamie
Cradle Song Sister Sagrario
1934 Two Alone Corie
Success at Any Price Dinah
The Trumpet Blows Carmela Ramirez
Manhattan Love Song Annette
Ladies Should Listen Susie Flamberg
One Night of Love Muriel
Sweet Adeline Nellie
1935 Captain Hurricane Gertie Uncredited
Dressed to Thrill Anne Trepied
A Feather in Her Hat Emily Judson
1936 Three Live Ghosts Peggy 'Peg' Woofers
The Invisible Ray Briggs Uncredited
The Gorgeous Hussy Maybelle
Craig's Wife Mazie
Rose Bowl Susie Reynolds
Pennies from Heaven Slavey
1937 Bulldog Drummond Comes Back
When Love Is Young 'Dotty' Leonard
Bulldog Drummond's Revenge Gwen Longworth
1938 The Goldwyn Follies Ada
The First Hundred Years Midge
Bulldog Drummond's Peril Gwen Longworth
When Tomorrow Comes Lulu
1939 The Cat and the Canary Cicily
1940 Forty Little Mothers Madamoiselle Cynthia Cliche
Hullabaloo Lulu Perkins
1941 The Bad Man Angela Hardy
The Chocolate Soldier Liesel
1942 The Remarkable Andrew Miss Van Buren
They All Kissed the Bride Secretary
1943 Hers to Hold Nurse Willing
Princess O'Rourke Mrs. Bowers Uncredited
1944 Her Primitive Man Aunt Penelope
1947 The Late George Apley Jane Willing
1948 Mickey Miss Mabel Adams Uncredited
The Velvet Touch Susan Crane
1962 Don't Knock the Twist Amy
1963 For Love or Money Martha Uncredited
1964 Mail Order Bride Salvation Army band member Uncredited
1966 The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Mrs. Cobb
The Chase Mrs. Henderson
The Swinger Aunt Cora
1967 The Reluctant Astronaut Aunt Zana
1968 The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit Woman in elevator Uncredited
1970 Rabbit, Run Mrs. Smith

Television work

Year Title Role Notes
1947–1950 Mary Kay and Johnny Mary Kay's mother
1948 Actors Studio 1 episode
1950 The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre "The Veranda"
1949–1951 The Philco Television Playhouse 2 episodes
1951 Young Mr. Bobbin Aunt Bertha
1952 Robert Montgomery Presents 1 episode
1953 Broadway Television Theatre Aunt Minnie Stickney 1 episode
1954 Philip Morris Playhouse 1 episode
1954–1955 Kraft Television Theatre 5 episodes
1953-1955 Studio One Miss Twink/Cora Kinney
1955 Ford Television Theatre Penny 1 episode
1956 Producers' Showcase Serena Applegate 1 episode
1957 The Kaiser Aluminum Hour Mrs. Lansing 1 episode
The United States Steel Hour Miss Prism 1 episode
1960 Play of the Week Armande Mangebois 1 episode
1962-1963 Going My Way Mrs. Featherstone 30 episodes
1963 Route 66 Mrs. LeMay 1 episode
1964 The Addams Family Miss Morrison 1 episode
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Aunt Ida Maye 1 episode
Perry Mason Ivy Stanton 1 episode
Bonanza Martha Washburn 1 episode
Ben Casey Mrs. Simmons 1 episode
1965 The Donna Reed Show Mrs. Robbins 1 episode
The Munsters Elderly woman 1 episode
F Troop Mama Dobbs 1 episode
My Favorite Martian Matilda 1 episode
1965-1966 Please Don't Eat The Daisies Aunt Alice/Emma 2 episodes
1967 That Girl Lady "Rain, Snow, Ice"
Family Affair Mrs. Elkins 1 episode
1968 Premiere Woman 1 episode
1969 Lancer Bridget McGloin 1 episode
Adam-12 Alice Hoyt 1 episode
1967–1970 Dragnet 1967 Martha Anderson

Myrtle Perriwinkle Mrs. Morrison Phoebe Kensington Jennifer Salt Mrs. Mary Burnside

 6 episodes
1969 Silent Night, Lonely Night Mae
1970 Bewitched Mrs. Quigley 1 episode

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nissen, Axel (2016). Accustomed to Her Face: Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood. McFarland. pp. 201–203. ISBN 9780786497324. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Nydia Westmans (sic) Rise". Evening Star. District of Columbia, Washington. November 27, 1927. p. Part 3 - 1. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Nydia Westman". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson
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