- Myrna Loy,The Great Ziegfeld, 1935. Once William Powell was confirmed as Broadway icon Florenz Ziegfeld, it just had to be his usual partner, Myrna Loy, as Billie Burke. Previous contenders Perry and Jean Chatburn were cast asunder… well, Chatburn became Mary Lou, instead. Perry only ever made three movies. Having sold the biopic rights, Burke had been booked to play herself before Universal passed the overly expensive project to mighty MGM, where she made sure the Broadway colossus was seen in the finest light – by cutting down on all his lovers! Perry was the daughter of Antoinette ‘Toni’ Perry after whom Broadway’s Tony awards were named in 1947. (PS: Among the Ziegfeld girls is Pat Ryan, Richard Nixon’s future First Lady).
Birth year: 1913Death year: 2007Other name: Casting Calls: 1