Esther Muir

Esther Muir
Esther Muir (1940), in Misbehaving Husbands
Born	(1903-03-11)March 11, 1903 Andes, New York, U.S.
Died	August 1, 1995(1995-08-01) (aged 92) Mount Kisco, New York, U.S.
Years active	1931-1945
Spouse(s)	Sam Coslow (1934-1948; divorced); 1 child Busby Berkeley (1929-1931; divorced) Richard Brown (?-?) (divorced)

Esther Muir (March 11, 1903 – August 1, 1995) was a character actress on Broadway and in Hollywood films.

Muir was born in Andes, New York and began modeling in New York City while still a high school student. She soon won a role in a show called Greenwich Village Follies. She participated in the Earl Carroll Vanities and in the International Review. The latter show starred Gertrude Lawrence. Her major break as a theatrical performer came when she landed the title role in My Girl Friday!, in 1929. While in London, England performing in a musical Esther became a favorite dancing partner of Edward VIII, then Prince of Wales. She befriended Wallis Warfield.

Muir is probably best known today for her appearance with the Marx Brothers in A Day At The Races (1937). Muir toured with the Marxes in a stage version where material was crafted and rehearsed prior to filming. Muir described the Marx Brothers as diligent comic actors who sometimes worked days and weeks on a scene to perfect it. Her other screen credits include parts in I'll Take Romance (1937), City Girl (1938), and The Girl and the Gambler (1939). She continued in motion pictures until 1942. Her final role is Bonnie in X Marks The Spot. Her first motion picture appearance was in A Dangerous Affair in 1931.

Muir was introduced by columnist Walter Winchell to Hollywood director and choreographer Busby Berkeley, whom she married. They were divorced in 1931. In the 1950s the former actress became a real estate developer in southern California. She supervised the construction of more than 400 tract homes.