Gertrude Vanderbilt (actress) facts for kids
Gertrude Vanderbilt (born July 25, c. 1885 – died February 18, 1960) was an American actress. People also knew her as Gertie Vanderbilt. She performed on stage and in Vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts like singing, dancing, and comedy.
Early Life and Acting Career
Gertrude Vanderbilt was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was thought to be a distant relative of the famous Vanderbilt family. Her exact birth year is a bit unclear, but she always said her birthday was July 25.
She started acting when she was about 14 years old. She quickly became a well-known star in the 1920s. Gertrude had important roles in many shows by a famous producer named David Belasco.
She became famous on Broadway in plays like The Talk of New York (1907) and The American Idea (1908). She also appeared in The Follies of 1909. Later, in 1919, she took over the main role in the play The Gold Diggers.
In 1914, Gertrude was part of the Ziegfeld Follies. This was a series of popular musical shows known for their beautiful costumes and performers. She later became the president of the Ziegfeld Alumni Association, which was a group for former Follies performers.
Personal Life
When Gertrude was 17, she married Joseph Pincus. He was an agent who helped actors find work. They later divorced, and he became a talent scout in Hollywood.
In 1908, she married actor Robert L. Dailey in Baltimore, Maryland. They were both working in The American Idea show at the time. In 1909, Gertrude asked for a separation from Dailey due to difficulties in their marriage.
In 1926, there were reports that she was engaged to an Italian Baron named Georgio Mario Suriani. He was the son of an Italian Senator. However, their engagement was later called off.
Gertrude bought a five-story house in New York City in 1921. She later sold it in 1924. At the time of her death, she was living at the Delmonico Hotel in New York City.
Gertrude Vanderbilt passed away on February 18, 1960, at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.
