December 20, 1942 – May 18, 2025
Ouida Gayle Marshall, a luminous spirit from Hollywood’s golden age, passed away peacefully in Glendale, California, at the age of 82, surrounded by family and close friends. Known professionally and personally as Gayle, she was an actress, artist, photographer, and devoted mother whose beauty and warmth left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Born in Beaumont, Texas, Gayle was the daughter of a spirited Irish father who was born in a covered wagon and became a rodeo performer and trick pony rider. Her mother was of Blackfoot and Cherokee Native American, German, and Hispanic descent. From them, Gayle inherited her striking beauty—dark hair, fair skin, and vivid green eyes that would later captivate Hollywood’s lens. Family lore included rumored ties to the Younger brothers and Belle Starr.
Her career began when a classmate submitted her school portrait to a beauty contest, winning Gayle a contract with MGM Studios. She went on to appear in Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Four for Texas, and The Red Skelton Hour, and posed in promotional stills as a stand-in for Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. She worked with legendary icons such as Bette Davis, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra, and was interviewed by famed columnist Hedda Hopper.
In the 1960s, Gayle transitioned to work behind the scenes at ABC as a producer’s assistant on Shindig and The Hollywood Palace, where she met and spent time with the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Everly Brothers, the cast of Bonanza, and the original Rat Pack. She remembered the Rolling Stones vividly—laughing that “they smelled”—and lovingly collected autographed 8×10 glossies for her sister Omega. In the 1980s, she worked on the film Players with producer Robert Evans.
Gayle was one of seven siblings and was married three times. Her second husband, actor Chester “Chet” Marshall, was the great love of her life and the father of her three children. After his tragic murder in their Sherman Oaks home, Gayle spent years seeking justice. She also endured the heartbreaking loss of her infant son, Skylar. Through marriage, she held the title of Duchess—a fact she seldom mentioned but wore with quiet dignity.
She lived in Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu—her favorite beach and sanctuary. In her final days, she spent time with her daughter Velvet in Topanga and cherished sleepovers with her granddaughter Nastassia, which she often called her greatest joy.
She is survived by her daughters Velvet and Christabel, granddaughter Nastassia, and youngest sister Omega. She was preceded in death by her son Skylar, husband Chet, her parents, and her other siblings.
A private memorial will be held in Topanga and Glendale.
She will be laid to rest with her husband and son at Forest Lawn, Glendale.
A rare beauty, a resilient soul, and a true original.
A private memorial will be held in Topanga and Glendale. She will be laid to rest with her husband and son at Forest Lawn, Glendale. A rare beauty, a resilient soul, and a true original.
