Claire McDowell

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Claire McDowell
Hollywood, California
, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1908–1945
Spouse
(m. 1906; died 1937)
Children2
RelativesFanny Davenport (aunt)
Melbourne MacDowell (uncle)

Claire McDowell (née MacDowell;[1][2] November 2, 1877 – October 23, 1966) was an American actress of the silent era.[3][4] She appeared in 350 films between 1908 and 1945.[5]

Early years

Claire MacDowell was born in New York City on November 2, 1877, the daughter of Eugene A. MacDowell and Fanny Reeves.[6][7] Her aunt, actress Fanny Davenport, gave her early training in acting.[8] Fanny Davenport's second husband was Eugene's brother Melbourne MacDowell.[9]

Career

When she was 17, she was an understudy in a theatrical company headed by

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, in which she played mothers both times.[citation needed] McDowell's Broadway credits included Herod (1909), To Have and to Hold (1901), and Hearts Are Trumps (1900).[10]

When she was 38, McDowell retired, but later she returned to acting, particularly portraying mothers.[7]

Personal life and death

She was married to silent screen character actor Charles Hill Mailes from 1906 until his death in 1937.[11] The couple appeared in numerous silent films together, including The Mark of Zorro.[12] They had two sons,[7] Robert and Eugene. She died in Hollywood, California, on October 23, 1966, ten days before her 89th birthday.[13]

Selected filmography

References

  1. – via Google Books.
  2. – via Google Books.
  3. . Retrieved October 18, 2018 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Claire McDowell". Obscure Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  5. ^ "The monumental Claire McDowell". 11east14thstreet. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  6. ^ Silent Film Necrology, p.334 c.2001 by Eugene M. Vazzana
  7. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  8. Newspapers.com
    .
  9. . Retrieved February 22, 2020. Presenting Fedora in New York in 1883 with Robert Mantell as her leading man, Fanny Davenport achieved such fame.
  10. ^ "Claire McDowell". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  11. ^ "Claire McDowell". Silent Era. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  12. ^ "Fairbanks Picks Special Cast in Hope Of Presenting His Most Unusual Film." Exhibitors Herald. November 27, 1920, pg. 85.
  13. ^ "Rites Set for Veteran Stage, Film Actress". Los Angeles Times. October 27, 1966. p. 46.

External links