Loading AI tools
American actress (1892–1973) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rosemary Theresa Theby (born Rose Masing,[1] April 8, 1892 – November 10, 1973) was an American film actress. She appeared in some 250 films between 1911 and 1940.
Rosemary Theby | |
---|---|
Born | Rose Masing April 8, 1892 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
Died | November 10, 1973 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1911–1940 |
Spouses |
The daughter of George and Katherine Masing, Theby was born in St. Louis, Missouri.[2] She studied at the Convent of St. Alphonsus in St. Louis[3] and at Sargent's School in New York City.[4] A contemporary newspaper account described her as being of "medium-height, well proportioned, with regular features and dark hair".[4]
Theby began working with Vitagraph studios in 1910.[1] Her first film experience came in that company's production of The Wager.[4] By 1915, she was a star for the Universal film company.[5] During World War I Theby took care of a refugee from Lithuania. After being educated and cared for by Theby, the young woman became her maid during a time of an acute shortage of maids in Hollywood, in 1920.[6]
As Miss Corintee in The Great Love (1918), Theby played the part of a German spy with great skill. The film was written and directed by D.W. Griffith.[7] This was a femme fatale, or "vampire," role, which she began to play frequently after depicting characters in slapstick comedies.[4] Theby played a Chinese "vamp" in Clung, a Fox Film production directed by Emmett J. Flynn.[8] Later she began to portray more serious women.[4]
Theby was solely a film actress. She declined an offer to accompany Chauncey Olcott to appear on stage for $85 per week. At the time she was earning $125 weekly in movies. She later regretted her decision because of the experience she would have gained.[4]
Thelby's career included Westerns and serials.[2]
Theby was married to fellow actor and director Harry Myers.[9] After Myers' death in 1938,[2] she married Truitt Hughes to whom she remained married until her death. She lived for years at 1907 Wilcox Avenue in Los Angeles.[10]
Theby supported Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 presidential election. Theby enjoyed playing golf, wore her hair in a bob cut, and possessed a preoccupation with personal cleanliness.[11] On screen she appeared tall and willowy, entering a scene, according to one review in the Los Angeles Times, with a "sensuous glide".[12]
Theby died of circulatory shock on November 10, 1973, at the age of 81.[citation needed]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.