Knight, June, 1913-1987

Actress, singer, and dancer June Knight was born Margaret Rose Vallikett in 1913. Her first job at age nine was in the children's chorus of the movie palace prologue to "Son of the Sheik." At 13, she got her first stage role as a dancer in Vaudeville. At 15, she adopted the stage name Marie Valli. Soon after, Cecil B. DeMille signed her for a part in the 1929 film "On With the Show." In 1931, at age 18, Marie became the dance partner of Jack Holland, who gave her the stage name June Knight, which she took legally.

Her next engagement was with Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., who signed her for his show "Hot Cha!" While appearing on Broadway, talent scouts from Universal Pictures saw June and offered her a screen test. She signed with them in 1933 and starred in four films. In 1934, she signed with MGM Studios and appeared in the film "Broadway Melody of 1936." She then returned to the stage for roles in Cole Porter productions, which were her specialty. In 1949, June retired from stage and screen.

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