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Ben Lyon

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The Resume

    (February 6, 1901-March 22, 1979)
    Born in Atlanta, Georgia
    Studio executive at 20th Century Fox
    Credited with 'discovering' Marilyn Monroe
    Starred opposite Jean Harlow in 'Hell's Angels'
    Also acted in 'The Hot Heiress,' 'Lily of the Dust,' 'The Flying Marine,' and 'Lady with a Past'

Why he might be annoying:

    He is sometimes confused with 'At the Movies' co-host critic Ben Lyons.
    He couldn't maintain his leading man status into the 'talkies' era.
    His career dried up completely in the mid-1930s, prompting him to retreat to England to do radio work for several years.
    His most prominent leading role saw him be upstaged by Jean Harlow, who became an overnight star. (Case in point: she took top billing on the marquee despite having distinctly less screentime.)

Why he might not be annoying:

    He entered films after a successful appearance on Broadway opposite Jeanne Eagels.
    He made the smart choice to segue into the role of studio agent when his movie career came to an end.
    While acting as a casting director in 1946, he met a young model by the name of Norma Jeane Baker.
    Smitten by the girl's resemblance to Harlow, he gave her a color screen test and signed her to her first studio contract. He also helped her decide on a stage name: Marilyn Monroe.
    Years after Marilyn had become a star, she sent him an autographed photo, inscribed: 'You found me, named me and believed in me when no one else did. My love and thanks forever.'
    He had a successful forty year marriage to Bebe Daniels, and the two starred on a hit radio program together ('Life with the Lyons').

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 17 Votes: 76.47% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying