Marilyn Knowlden Busnardo

Marilyn Knowlden, a cherished child actress of Hollywood's Golden Age, who graced the silver screen in over three dozen films during the 1930s and early 1940s, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, at the age of 99. As one of the last surviving performers from that era, she left an indelible mark on cinema history with her poise, talent, and memorable roles alongside icons like Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, and Fredric March.

Born on May 12, 1926, in Oakland, California, to attorney Robert Knowlden Jr. and his wife Bretta McKenzie, Marilyn was an only child. Her entry into show business was serendipitous: In 1931, during a family business trip to Hollywood, her father arranged an interview with Paramount executive Fred Datig. Though initially deemed too young for a role in Women Love Once (1931), the four-year-old Marilyn impressed with her ability to deliver extensive dialogue, securing her debut as the daughter of Paul Lukas and Eleanor Boardman. This launched a prolific freelance career across major studios, where she became a sought-after young talent, often bypassing auditions due to her reliability and versatility, as she also could sing, dance, and even cry on cue.

Her filmography boasts six Academy Award-nominated Best Picture films, showcasing her versatility in both dramatic and lighthearted roles.

Highlights include:

• Little Women (1933): An uncredited turn as young Flora in the pre-Code adaptation starring Katharine Hepburn, nominated for Best Picture.

• Imitation of Life (1934): Sharing the role of Jessie Pullman with Rochelle Hudson, opposite Claudette Colbert as her onscreen mother.

• Les Misérables (1935): Portraying young Cosette in the movie with Fredric March.

• David Copperfield (1935): As Agnes Wickfield, in the Best Picture nominee directed by George Cukor.

• Anthony Adverse (1936): Another Best Picture contender.

• All This, and Heaven Too (1940): Rounding out her Oscar-nominated credits.

She also shared memorable moments with Hepburn in A Woman Rebels (1936), where a playful archery challenge led to a rare signed autograph from the star: "To Marilyn — Hoping that her archery improves. Affectionately, Katharine Hepburn." Other notable collaborations included Irene Dunne in Show Boat (1936), Norma Shearer in Marie Antoinette (1938), and a poignant role as the younger version of Ann Sheridan in Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), starring James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. Her final film appearance was in 1944, after which she retired from acting as she entered adulthood.

Beyond the screen, Marilyn Knowlden's life was rich and multifaceted. She married World War II Merrill’s Marauders veteran, Richard Goates, supporting him through Stanford University while raising their three children—Carolyn, Brian, and Kevin—plus a foster daughter, Liz. Following her divorce from Dick Goates, she wed Eliseo Busnardo and settled in Fallbrook, California. She channeled her creativity into music, songwriting, and theater, becoming a playwright and composer for local productions. In 2011, she released her autobiography, “Little Girl in Big Pictures”, followed by two children’s Christmas books. She remained active in composing poems and songs right up to the very end, embodying the enduring spirit of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Marilyn Knowlden had 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and leaves behind a legacy that continues to enchant film lovers. She was predeceased by her parents and husbands. A memorial service will be held and live-streamed for family and friends. Her story reminds us of the magic born from a child's curiosity and a family's bold trip to Tinseltown.