Katherine MacDonald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Katherine MacDonald
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MacDonald, c. 1922
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Katherine Agnew MacDonald
December 14, 1891 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | June 4, 1956 (aged 64) |
| Occupation | Actress, film producer, model |
| Spouse(s) | Malcolm A. Strauss (m. 1911; div. 1919) Charles Schoen Johnson (m. 1923; div. 1926); 1 son Christian R. Holmes (m. 1928; div. 1931); 1 daughter |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Mary MacLaren (sister, actress) |
| Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Katherine Agnew MacDonald (born December 14, 1891 – died June 4, 1956) was an American actress, film producer, and model. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Katherine was also the older sister of two other actresses, Miriam MacDonald and Mary MacLaren.
Contents
Becoming a Star in Early Hollywood
Katherine started her career as a popular model in New York City in the 1910s. She then moved to Los Angeles in 1917 to work in the growing film industry.
A Pioneer Film Producer
Katherine MacDonald became one of the first women to produce movies in Hollywood. She had her own company, Katherine MacDonald Pictures. From 1919 to 1921, she produced nine feature films.
Reaching Peak Popularity
By 1920, Katherine was one of the highest-paid actresses. She earned about $50,000 for each movie she made. This was a lot of money back then! Her most popular years were between 1920 and 1923.
The "American Beauty"
Even though some people thought her acting talent was small, Katherine was known for her beautiful looks. She was nicknamed the "American Beauty" because of her curvy figure.
Her Famous Films
Katherine appeared in many silent films. Her first big role was in Shark Monroe (1918), where she starred with William S. Hart. She also appeared in The Squaw Man (1918) and Mr. Fix-It (1918). Most of her movies were romantic dramas. After 1923, she only made two more films, one in 1925 and one in 1926.
Life Outside of Movies
Katherine MacDonald had an interesting personal life. She even had a public disagreement with her younger sister, Mary MacLaren, who was also an actress.
Marriages and Family
Katherine married her first husband, Malcolm Atherton Strauss, in 1911. They were married for eight years. Later, in 1923, she married Charles Schoen Johnson, a wealthy man from Chicago. This marriage ended in 1926, but they had one son named Britt.
After leaving the movie business, Katherine started a successful cosmetics company. In 1928, she married Christian Rasmus Holmes, who was an heir to the Fleischmann's yeast company. This marriage also ended in 1931. Katherine and Christian had one daughter named Ann.
A Star on Hollywood Boulevard
Katherine MacDonald has a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can find it at 6777 Hollywood Boulevard.
Later Life and Passing
Later in her life, Katherine suffered from diabetes. In 1954, she needed to have her right leg removed because of her illness. Two years later, after several strokes, she passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. She is buried in the Santa Barbara Cemetery in California.
Images for kids
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MacDonald on the cover of the Motion Picture Classic, July 23, 1921.
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Another portrait of MacDonald featured in the January 1922 issue of Filmplay Journal
