Mary McCarty was an American actress, singer, dancer, and comedian, who appeared in films, television, radio, and Broadway shows. She was best known for her role as nurse Clara “Starch” Willoughby on the TV series Trapper John, M.D. She was also the life partner of actress Margaret Lindsay, according to biographer William J. Mann.
Early Life and Career
McCarty was born in Winfield, Kansas, in 1923, but grew up in Los Angeles after her parents divorced. She began performing in musical revues when she was 5 years old, and by 1934, she had appeared in about 75 films as a child actress. Some of her films as an adult include The French Line, All That Jazz, and Somebody Killed Her Husband.
She also starred in several radio and TV shows, such as The Redhead, This Is Broadway, Admiral Broadway Revue, and The Arthur Murray Party. On Broadway, she appeared in shows like Anna Christie, Chicago, Irene, Follies, and Gypsy. She was a versatile performer, who could sing, dance, act, and do comedy.
Death and Legacy
On April 3, 1980, Lindsay found McCarty dead on the floor of her home in West Los Angeles. She was 56 years old. The cause of death remained undetermined after an autopsy, with results of a toxicology awaited, according to Wikipedia. No further information was found about the cause of death or the toxicology report.
McCarty was buried at Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a loyal fan base. She was considered a great character actress, who made her mark in various genres and mediums. She was also a pioneer of lesbian representation in Hollywood, as she lived openly with her partner Lindsay for many years.
