Marni Nixon

Margaret Nixon McEathron born in Altadena, California, on February 22, 1930 –died on July 24, 2016), known professionally as Marni Nixon, was an American soprano and ghost singer for featured actresses in musical films. She was the singing voice of leading actresses on the soundtracks of several musicals, including Deborah Kerr in The King and I, Natalie Wood in West Side Story, and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, although her roles were concealed from audiences when the films were released. Several of the songs she dubbed appeared on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list. Besides her voice work in films, Nixon's career included roles of her own in film, television, opera and musicals on Broadway and elsewhere throughout the United States, performances in concerts with major symphony orchestras, and recordings

Quotes

"You always had to sign a contract that nothing would be revealed,”
- Who was Marni Nixon, the ‘ghost singer’ behind Hollywood’s famous actresses? Classic fm (15 May 2018)
Twentieth Century Fox, when I did The King and I, threatened me. They said, if anybody ever knows that you did any part of the dubbing for Deborah Kerr, we’ll see to it that you don’t work in town again.”
- Who was Marni Nixon, the ‘ghost singer’ behind Hollywood’s famous actresses? Classic fm (15 May 2018)
“Hepburn grudgingly agreed that she could see she was not quite doing it the way they wanted her to sing it,” says Nixon. “She was very helpful.”
- Legendary Hollywood Voice-Dubber Marni Nixon Philadelphia Magazine (12/08/2015)
"I just knew it was all sort of silly,” says Nixon. “It was just a part of the process of making a movie … As Shakespeare says, ‘the play’s the thing.’
- Legendary Hollywood Voice-Dubber Marni Nixon Philadelphia Magazine (12/08/2015)
"Life is just one big improv.”
- Legendary Hollywood Voice-Dubber Marni Nixon Philadelphia Magazine (12/08/2015)
"Most people still know me from the dubbing,” “But I have been working hard to revitalize the recital, to do classical things, especially the American art song.”
- From shadows to spotlight: Acclaimed soprano Marni Nixon, 76, writes her memoir The seattle times (November 3, 2006)
"I might be invisible, but the checks were solid as a rock"
- From shadows to spotlight: Acclaimed soprano Marni Nixon, 76, writes her memoir The seattle times (November 3, 2006)
"The air, the people, the changing skies and the mountains so close. Seattle really left a mark on me.”
- From shadows to spotlight: Acclaimed soprano Marni Nixon, 76, writes her memoir The seattle times (November 3, 2006)
“Treat yourself like an athlete. Your instrument is in your body, but you activate it with your mind. Keep coaching, keep flexible, keep in good physical shape."
- From shadows to spotlight: Acclaimed soprano Marni Nixon, 76, writes her memoir The seattle times (November 3, 2006)
“As you make all of life’s small choices, keep focused on your goals. Think about the long run — because that’s life. We’re all in it for the long run.”
- From shadows to spotlight: Acclaimed soprano Marni Nixon, 76, writes her memoir The seattle times (November 3, 2006)
“I still have nice high notes,” “but I would never do the Queen of the Night [a famously high-flying role in Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’]. I turned down that role at the New York City Opera” earlier in her career. “Maybe it was a mistake, but I didn’t want to be known just for vocal pyrotechnics.”
- From shadows to spotlight: Acclaimed soprano Marni Nixon, 76, writes her memoir The seattle times (November 3, 2006)