Trivia

Brought to Hollywood by producer David O. Selznick (who called her "a born actress") on the strength of her stage performance, McGuire starred in her first film, a movie adaptation of her Broadway success, Claudia, and portrayed the character of a child bride who almost destroys her marriage through her selfishness. Her inaugural screen performance was popular with both the public and critics alike and was the catalyst for not only a sequel, Claudia and David (both movies co-starring Robert Young), but also for numerous other film roles.

In April of 2002, Dorothy's family was hurt and disappointed after Dorothy's name was unwittingly omitted by the Motion Picture Academy from the "In Memoriam" tribute of the March 2002 telecast The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002). The demure, classy Dorothy, who had died within the calendar year and was nominated once for an Oscar for Gentleman's Agreement (1947), was one of those talented stars who avoided the sensationalism of stardom. The Academy explained that it was NOT an oversight or a slight, but that they have room only for 15-20 names in a single tribute. However, left unexplained was why they managed to include lesser film personalities such as Aaliyah. Dorothy was however remembered by the British Academy of Film and Television during The Orange British Academy Film Awards (2002), broadcast the previous month.

Married to John Swope, an airline founder and photographer for Life magazine, until his death in 1979.

Died just 11 days after Troy Donahue, who played her son in A Summer Place (1959).

After her father's death, McGuire attended a convent school in Indianapolis, Indiana. She later attended Pine Manor Junior College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, serving as president of that school's drama club. She graduated from Pine Manor when she was 19.

For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Dorothy McGuire has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6933 Hollywood Blvd.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, McGuire was the only child of Thomas Johnson McGuire and Isabelle Flaherty McGuire. She began her acting career on the stage at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

She was awarded the 1975 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Performance for the play, "The Night of the Iguana," at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

In 1947, Dorothy McGuire, along with Gregory Peck and Mel Ferrer, founded the "La Jolla Playhouse", In La Jolla High School, La Jolla, CA. The name "La Jolla Playhouse" is now applied to a theater complex on the campus of the University of California in San Diego, California.

After spending time working on the radio, eventually, she reached Broadway, first appearing as an understudy to Martha Scott in Our Town, and subsequently starring in the domestic comedy, Claudia.

She has appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945), Gentleman's Agreement (1947) and Old Yeller (1957).

Starred with 2 members of the Mills family in 2 different Disney films. She played John Mills' wife in Swiss Family Robinson in 1960 and Hayley Mills' mother in Summer Magic in 1963.

Not to be confused with singer Dorothy McGuire of The McGuire Sisters.

Children: son, Mark Swope, and daughter, Topo Swope.

On August 20, 2019, she was honored with a day of her film work during the Turner Classic Movies Summer Under the Stars.

Was the leading lady of Robert Young in three films - Claudia (1943), The Enchanted Cottage (1945), and Claudia and David (1946).

She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1947 for Gentleman's Agreement.

Was in three Oscar Best Picture nominees; Gentleman's Agreement (1947), Three Coins in the Fountain (1954) and Friendly Persuasion (1956), with Gentleman's Agreement winning in 1947.

McGuire died of cardiac arrest following a brief illness at the age of 85 in 2001, two days after 9/11.

On the radio, McGuire was a member of the casts of Big Sister (playing Sue Evans) and Joyce Jordan, M.D.. She also appeared in This Is My Best (Miracle in the Rain), Screen Directors Playhouse (The Spiral Staircase) and in Theatre Guild on the Air (Hamlet[5] A Doll's House, Our Town.

Aunt of Tracy Brooks Swope.

Sister-in-law of Herbert B. Swope Jr..

Ex-sister-in-law of Margaret Hayes.

In Italy, most of her films were dubbed by Lydia Simoneschi, including Friendly Persuasion (1956). She was occasionally dubbed by Dhia Cristiani, most notably in the Oscar-winning Gentleman's Agreement (1947); Rosetta Calavetta, Rina Morelli and Andreina Pagnani.