Nelson eddy and jeanette macdonald

Home / Celebrity Biographies / Nelson eddy and jeanette macdonald

Did they really hate each other off-screen or love each other? Why did they make this film or that, why did was Nelson all over Jeanette in one film and noticeably “under the weather” in another ( that also shockingly had no real duet)? On the CD-ROM you get high resolutions photos for every picture.

Below, enjoy a sampling of our Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy Interactive Biography.

Table of Contents (online abridged edition):

Part One: The early days through Naughty Marietta

Part Two: Rose Marie through Maytime

Part Three: Girl of the Golden West through Sweethearts

Part Four: 1939-42

Part Five: The post MGM years

Purchase the full edition on CD-ROM here.

The talented soprano began her career on Broadway and appeared in several long-running shows. Why did they marry other people? Gossip columns were abuzz with rumors of a real-life romance, despite both being involved with other people; MacDonald was married to actor Gene Raymond. Together, they created a series of films that have stood the test of time and continue to captivate audiences with their melodious charm.

The Rise of Two Stars

Jeanette MacDonald had already established herself as a talented actress and singer when she first teamed up with Nelson Eddy.

Her success continued with starring roles in The Lottery Bride and Love Me Tonight. When they first appeared together in “Naughty Marietta” in 1935, it was clear that something magical was taking place. They appeared happy in public but they had a troubled marriage.

Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald

Jeanette was still in love with Nelson and she discovered that Gene was gay.

It lets you take a comprehensive look at the vast wealth of photos, interview clips and information – much more than what could be published in a single softcover book. Although they were no longer lovers they remained close friends.

By 1939 Jeanette's $300,000 a year salary made her one of the world's highest paid actresses and she was voted "Queen Of Hollywood" in a nationwide poll.

Unhappy with the roles she was getting she decided to leave MGM in 1942. Eventually Jeanette and Nelson resumed their secret love affair. Why weren’t they more proactive in the 1940s to get their film careers back on track?

All photos are from the author’s collection and have been reproduced either in Sweethearts or issues of the magazine Mac/Eddy Today (c) 1977-2000 by the Mac/Eddy Club, and are under appropriate copyright.

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy were lovers onscreen and off but their real-life romance ended in heartbreak

Jeanette Anna MacDonald was born on June 18, 1903 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She became pregnant several times but tragically she always miscarried. Meanwhile Nelson was so devastated by Jeanette's marriage that he impulsively eloped with Ann Franklin, a friend of his mother. She was not willing to do that and they broke up. As she got older health problems forced her to stop working as much. Their collaborations are considered some of the best examples of early American musical cinema.

Jeanette MacDonald | Nelson Eddy Biography – Overview

Nelson Eddy (1901-1967) and Jeanette MacDonald (1903-1965) had private lives, like most film stars, outside of the public eye.

In 1929 she made her film debut in the musical The Love Parade. After years of break-ups and reconciliations Jeanette finally ended her romance with Nelson in 1950. They were both worried that the scandal would destroy their careers.