Biografia

In early April 1934, a woman named Mary Blackwood nearly died on the set of "Come On Marines!" While filming a swimming sequence, Toby Wing was swimming across a lake and accidentally struck Blackwell in the face as she surfaced from her earlier dive. Seeing her floating unconscious, Toby broke ranks and dived in the water rescuing the uncredited extra from drowning. A story and a photo of Toby Wing and Mary Blackwood (the latter with a bandage covering her face) were distributed by Associated Press.

Toby's younger sister, Pat Wing, was also an actress. Pat's son, William Perry (1936-2006), Toby's nephew, was a former actor who appeared in touring musical productions of "My Fair Lady" and "Take Me Along". He also performed as half of the comedy team of "Joanie and Bill" -- the Joanie being none other than Joan Rivers. William later retired from show business and became a real estate agent.

Toby and Dick Merrill's 41-year old son, Richard "Ricky" Merrill, was murdered in his Miami home on August 12 or 13, 1982. At the time of his death, he was separated from his wife, Hella, and out on bond awaiting sentencing after being convicted in federal court of smuggling 1,525 lbs of Columbian marijuana in New Orleans. A co-defendant, Gary "Butch" Merritt, survived an attempt on his life after his van was blown up the previous June near Deland, Florida. Ricky's new Jeep Scrambler truck was found at Miami International Airport on August 16. The Merrills were living in Virginia at the time and the nature of their only child's death could not be withheld. Henry "Dick" Merrill died shortly afterwards. Ricky Merrill was survived by two daughters. His murder remains unsolved.

Biographers often claim Toby's "Marines Come Through" as a 1943 production. This picture was actually produced in 1941 and was re-released by Astor Pictures in 1943 as "Fight on Marines!" to capitalize on the patriotic fervor of WW2. Toby's film career ended with her marriage to pioneer aviator Dick Merrill in 1938. She retired to Di Lido Island and became a Miami Beach housewife, traveling, dabbling in real estate investing and supporting her husband's significant contributions to aviation history. A remarkable couple, Toby and Dick (who retired from Eastern Airlines in 1961) sadly outlived both their children; their youngest son Ricky was murdered (still unsolved as of mid-2013) in Miami in August, 1982 shortly before Dick's death. She was survived by two granddaughters.

It was actor/comedian Jack Oakie who introduced Toby to Samuel Goldwyn. She became a Goldwyn Girl at the same time as Paulette Goddard, Anita Louise and Betty Grable.