[2] Born in Peoria, Illinois, McGuire was said to be recognized by critics and fans alike as one of the rising stars in film.

While studying at the Hollywood High School, as well as her dancing, McGuire participated in a program exhibition at the Maryland Hotel in Pasadena.

She also starred with Gladys Walton as a second lead in Playing with Fire (1921) for Universal Pictures, as well as in The Flame of Life (1923) with Priscilla Dean.

By the late 1920s she was working steadily for Educational Pictures in two-reel comedies, opposite Charley Bowers or Lupino Lane.

[citation needed] On September 18, 1927, McGuire married George W. Landy, a studio publicity director, in Hollywood.