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Mary Pickford, 1892-1979
Born Toronto, Canada
In the early twentieth century, Mary Pickford was arguably the most famous woman in the world. Known as "America's sweetheart," she starred in popular films like Tess of the Storm Country (1914) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917). Yet Pickford was also a shrewd businessperson who cofounded United Artists in 1919 and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in 1927. Born Gladys Smith in Toronto, Pickford came to the United States with her family in 1901. Before she began appearing in movies, she worked with Broadway impresario David Belasco, who recommended she change her name to Mary Pickford. From 1913 to 1919, she was the leading female silent film star. Pickford led the Hollywood war effort during World War I, selling bonds and making such films as Johanna Enlists (1918). An honorary colonel, her character exhorted departing troops: "And don't you come back ‘til you've taken the germ out of Germany!"
Sven Brasch, 1921 |