Biography
Born on 29 May 1903 in Rock Falls, Illinois, USA, O’Neal died on 3 November 1989 in Largo, Florida, USA. During the middle and later 1920s her singing and dancing on Broadway brought her widespread recognition, while her particular talent for light comedy led to several notable roles. One standout was the 1927 production Good News, which ran for 557 performances at Chanin’s 46th Street Theatre; the score came from Buddy De Sylva, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson, and O’Neal performed the title number along with ‘He’s A Ladies’ Man’ as well as ‘On The Campus’ and ‘Varsity Drag’ alongside Don Tomkins, Wally Coyle and Ruth Mayon. She next joined the cast of Follow Thru in 1929, which starred Irene Delroy and Jack Haley.
Throughout the 1930s she took parts in several motion pictures, among them Sky Bound (1926), Follow Thru (1929), Paramount On Parade (1930), Peach O’Reno (1931), Give Her A Ring (1934) and Let’s Make A Night Of It (1937). The British-made Give Her A Ring introduced Wendy Barrie and Clifford Mollison to audiences and marked Stewart Granger’s first screen appearance in any capacity. Another British production, Let’s Make A Night Of It, paired her with Buddy Rogers and Claire Luce while showcasing the orchestras of Joe Loss and Sydney Lipton; the film remains noteworthy for its abundance of variety turns. Years after her passing, the 2004 television documentary Broadway: The American Musical incorporated archival footage of O’Neal.
Throughout the 1930s she took parts in several motion pictures, among them Sky Bound (1926), Follow Thru (1929), Paramount On Parade (1930), Peach O’Reno (1931), Give Her A Ring (1934) and Let’s Make A Night Of It (1937). The British-made Give Her A Ring introduced Wendy Barrie and Clifford Mollison to audiences and marked Stewart Granger’s first screen appearance in any capacity. Another British production, Let’s Make A Night Of It, paired her with Buddy Rogers and Claire Luce while showcasing the orchestras of Joe Loss and Sydney Lipton; the film remains noteworthy for its abundance of variety turns. Years after her passing, the 2004 television documentary Broadway: The American Musical incorporated archival footage of O’Neal.