Louise Dresser
Louise Dresser (actually: Louise Josephine Kerlin ; born October 5, 1878 in Evansville , Indiana , † April 24, 1965 in Woodland Hills , California ) was an American film and stage actress .
Life
Louise Dresser knew early on that she wanted to be an actress, so at the age of 16 she ran away from home to join a theater group on tour. Her stage name borrowed from one of her best friends, the American musician Paul Dresser (1857-1906).
Louise Dresser's path took her through vaudeville to Broadway , where she made her debut as a stage actress in late August 1906. Here, as well as later in the film, she was mostly present in supporting roles. Dresser, who was never seen on Broadway again after 1918, first appeared in front of the camera in 1922 in the silent film The Glory of Clementina .
Although her 49 films have long since become known only to film lovers, the drama Die neue Heimat (A Ship Comes In) Dresser's most important film in the long run, as it was won an Oscar in 1929 at the first gala in film history category Best Actress nomination. Her portrayal of Catherine the Great in The Eagle from 1925 at the side of Rudolph Valentino should also be emphasized .
After she retired from acting in 1937, she was instrumental in funding and building the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Hollywood , a clinic where she also died. Louise Dresser was married twice. After a short marriage to the musician and actor Jack Norworth at the beginning of the 20th century, she was married to Jack Gardner from 1909 to 1951, whose name she also adopted after her acting career. Both marriages remained childless.
Louise Dresser-Gardner died of an intestinal obstruction at the age of 86 .
Today a star on the Walk of Fame is dedicated to her.
Filmography (selection)
- 1922: The Glory of Clementina
- 1923: Ruggles of Red Gap
- 1925: The Eagle (The Eagle)
- 1926: Broken Hearts of Hollywood
- 1928: The New Home (A Ship Comes In)
- 1928: The Garden of Eden
- 1930: This Mad World
- 1933: Lullaby (Cradle Song)
- 1933: Doctor Bull
- 1933: Fair Rummel (State Fair)
- 1934: The Scarlet Empress (The Scarlet Empress)
- 1934: David Harum
- 1937: Cross-examined (Maid of Salem)
Web links
- M. Alison Kibler, Biography of Louise Dresser , Jewish Women Encyclopedia (Eng.)
- Louise Dresser in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Louise Dresser in the Internet Broadway Database (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Dresser, Louise |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Kerlin, Louise Josephine |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American film and stage actress |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 5, 1878 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Evansville , Indiana , United States |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 24, 1965 |
| Place of death | Woodland Hills , California , United States |