During a year of modeling Chapman was made aware that producer Howard Hughes was in New York screening for a new movie he planned to make.

[3] Chapman soon began receiving more leading roles and appeared opposite important stars such as Edward G. Robinson and George Sanders.

[5] Chapman was reportedly asked to audition for the role of "Old Rose" Dawson-Calvert in the 1997 James Cameron epic Titanic but was prevented by poor health.

[6] Marguerite Chapman died August 31, 1999, aged 81, and was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California.

[7] Her funeral was held on September 4, 1999, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood, California, where she was a parishioner.