A doctor's daughter, the versatile actress Minna Gombell had a successful career on the stage from 1912 to the end of the 1920's, appearing often in comedic roles, almost always in leads. She had a reputation as a fast learner, capable of reading and comprehending a script in a matter of hours. This ability served her well as an understudy early in her career. She made her Broadway debut in 1913 in 'Madam President' and later appeared in several productions of her stage director husband 'Myron C. Fagan' . An underrated actress, she enlivened many a film with her presence.
Gombell started her movie career under the name Nancy Gardner.
The 1900 Census lists her family as living at 835 W. Fayette Street in Baltimore and (the) 1910 shows them owning & residing at 1704 W. Madison Street also in Baltimore.
Her father William was a German born prominent Baltimore physician and her mother Emma was a 1st generation American whose parents were also from Germany.
She and Duncan McRae both made their Broadway debuts in the same production of the play Miss President by Jose G. Levy, Maurice Hennequin and Pierre Veber. The production ran from September 15, 1913, to some time in January, 1914, at the Garrick Theatre. Fannie Ward was also in the cast.
