Silent film star biographies

Home / Celebrity Biographies / Silent film star biographies

This was due to the fact that early film production took very little time, and movies only lasted for one reel, usually about 12 minutes, and were often shot without a screenplay.

Success and United Artists

In January 1910, Griffith moved his company from New York to Los Angeles. Gish starred in one of the most successful albeit controversial films of the silent era, D.W.

for an even higher salary of $225 per week.

It was during this time the first movie stars began to shape the film industry into what we know it as today. Valentino rose to prominence with 1921's The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and continued a highly successful film career, including hits like Blood and Sand, The Eagle, and his most recognizable role, The Sheik.

Unfortunately, Valentino tragically passed in 1926 at the young age of 31 from an illness that has since become known as "Valentino's syndrome." Numerous scandalous rumors followed, and he has been fictionalized in shows like American Horror Story.

In 1909, she appeared in over 50 films directed by Griffith.

Charlie Chaplin Was The Best Of The Best

Charlie Chaplin rose to fame during the silent film era, becoming a worldwide sensation through his on-screen persona “The Tramp,” and is today considered one of the most influential individuals in the history of the film industry.

Her career also ended in something of a scandal after her former assistant went to trial for theft and disclosed many of Bow's secrets. The actor achieved international fame and acclaim thanks to his performances in several silent horror films, most notably Quasimodo in 1923's The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Erik, the Phantom in 1925's The Phantom of the Opera.

Chaney is among the most important figures in horror.

The villains and sidekicks of two-reelers (Jim Corey, Nelson McDowell), cowboy action stars (Jack Hoxie, Art Acord, Hoot Gibson, et al.), comedians, character actors, matinee idols and other talented and reliable performers.A comprehensive filmography (compiled for this book by Richard E. Braff and listing year, studio, director, screenplay, story or author, length and cast) accompanies each entry.

After winning the case, she started working for Majestic Film Corp. Before that, she rose to prominence in John Ford's 1926 action film The Blue Eagle,

Gaynor's career continued into the sound era, notably starring in 1937's A Star Is Born, one of the most remade movies in Hollywood history.

She remained by Hearst's side until his death, but she never acted again after 1937. He passed away in 1898 from a brain hemorrhage. Belasco agreed to pay Mary $250 per week, which was ten times her salary from six years earlier. In 1999, she was ranked fifth on the American Film Institutes list of the greatest female stars of classic Hollywood cinema.

Her popularity continued to grow, and so did her income. Keep reading to learn more about these early film stars.

Max Linder Is Considered One Of The First Movie Stars

Gabriel-Maximillien Leuvielle, known professionally as Max Linder, was a French actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and comedian.

Rudolph Valentino Died Far Too Young

Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor based out of the United States that starred in some of the silent film eras most notable films such as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Blood and Sand, The Sheik, The Son of the Sheik, and The Eagle.

She was known as a divine doll and was idolized by her fans.

silent film star biographies

However, the quality of the films she made at IMP disappointed her, and she filed a lawsuit to terminate her contract.