Dina Merrill

Dina Merrill. She was an American actress, socialite, and philanthropist renowned for her elegant portrayals of sophisticated women in film and television during the mid-20th century. The daughter of financial titan Edward Francis Hutton and cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, she leveraged her prominent social position into a successful career in entertainment and business. Merrill was also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting numerous arts and medical charities throughout her life.

Early life and family

Born Nedenia Marjorie Hutton in New York City, she was the only child of the powerful Wall Street broker Edward Francis Hutton and the Post Cereals heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. She was raised in immense wealth, splitting her childhood between the family's legendary estate, Hillwood, in Washington, D.C., and their opulent residence on Fifth Avenue. She was educated at the prestigious Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut, before studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Her mother's subsequent marriage to diplomat Joseph E. Davies further immersed the family in high-society and international political circles.

Acting career

Merrill made her professional stage debut in 1945 and her film debut in the 1957 drama Desk Set, starring opposite Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. She quickly became known for playing chic, aristocratic characters in films such as A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed (1958), Don't Give Up the Ship (1959), and Butterfield 8 (1960) with Elizabeth Taylor. Her television career was prolific, with guest roles on major series including The Twilight Zone, Batman, and Murder, She Wrote. Later film roles included The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963), The Young Savages (1961), and I'll Take Sweden (1965). She continued acting into the 2000s, appearing in projects like The Player and Mighty Joe Young.

Business ventures and philanthropy

Beyond acting, Merrill was a savvy businesswoman and investor, serving as a vice president at her mother's company, Post Foods. She was also a board member of the New York City Ballet and a founding board member of the Paine Art Center and Gardens. Her philanthropic efforts were extensive, with a focus on the arts and medical research; she served as a trustee for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was a major supporter of the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. Alongside her third husband, Ted Hartley, she became co-owner and vice chairman of the production company RKO Pictures, helping to revitalize the historic studio.

Personal life

Merrill was married three times, first to banking heir Stanley M. Rumbough Jr., with whom she had three children. Her second marriage was to Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson; the couple often performed together, including in the film The Game. Her final marriage was to actor and financier Ted Hartley, which lasted from 1989 until her death. An accomplished sailor, she competed in several Bermuda Races. She divided her time between residences in New York City, Southampton, New York, and Palm Beach, Florida, maintaining an active role in high society until her death at her home in East Hampton, New York.

Filmography

A selected list of her film work includes *Desk Set* (1957), *A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed* (1958), *Don't Give Up the Ship* (1959), *Operation Petticoat* (1959), *Butterfield 8* (1960), *The Young Savages* (1961), *The Courtship of Eddie's Father* (1963), *I'll Take Sweden* (1965), *The Meal* (1975), *Twisted* (1986), *The Player* (1992), and *Mighty Joe Young* (1998). Her extensive television credits span from the 1950s through the 1990s on series such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Love Boat, and Beverly Hills, 90210.

Category:American film actresses Category:American philanthropists Category:American businesswomen