Lili Damita facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lili Damita
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Stars of the Photoplay, 1930
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| Born |
Liliane Marie-Madeleine Carré
10 July 1904 Blaye, France
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| Died | 21 March 1994 (aged 89) Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
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| Resting place | Oakland Cemetery, Fort Dodge, Iowa |
| Other names | Lily Damita Lily Deslys |
| Years active | 1922–1937 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Sean Flynn |
Lili Damita (born Liliane Marie-Madeleine Carré on July 10, 1904) was a famous French-American actress and singer. She starred in many movies, appearing in 33 films from 1922 to 1937. She was known for her lively personality and talent on screen.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Lili Damita was born in Blaye, France, on July 10, 1904. Her father was an officer in the military. She went to school in convents and ballet schools in France, Spain, and Portugal. When she was 14, she became a dancer at the famous Opéra de Paris.
From Dancer to Film Star
As a teenager, Lili performed in popular music halls. She even appeared in a big show at the Casino de Paris. She also worked as a photographic model, posing for pictures. In 1921, she won a magazine beauty competition. The prize was a role in a movie!
She acted in several silent films before getting her first main role. This was in the movie Das Spielzeug von Paris (1925), directed by Michael Curtiz. She quickly became very popular. Michael Curtiz directed her in two more films: Fiaker Nr. 13 (1926) and Der goldene Schmetterling (1926). Lili Damita continued to appear in German movies. She also worked with famous directors like Robert Wiene and G.W. Pabst.
Hollywood Career
In 1928, Lili Damita was invited to Hollywood by a famous movie producer, Samuel Goldwyn. She made her first American film, The Rescue. She worked with many big stars and leading men of the time. These included Maurice Chevalier, Laurence Olivier, James Cagney, Gary Cooper, and Cary Grant.
Her successful films included The Cock-Eyed World (1929). She also starred in The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1929), which was a mix of silent and talking film. Another popular movie was This Is the Night (1932).
Personal Life and Family
In 1935, Lili Damita married actor Errol Flynn. At the time, he was not yet famous. After their marriage, she stopped acting in movies. Errol Flynn soon became one of Hollywood's biggest stars. In 1941, they had a son named Sean Flynn. Lili and Errol had a difficult divorce in 1942.
In 1962, Lili Damita married Allen Loomis. He was a retired dairy product maker from Fort Dodge, Iowa. They lived in Palm Beach, Florida, and also spent time in Fort Dodge. They divorced in the mid-1980s.
The Disappearance of Her Son
Lili Damita's son, Sean Flynn, became a photo journalist. He worked for Time magazine. In 1970, during the Cambodian Civil War, Sean and another journalist went missing. They disappeared on a road south of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Lili Damita spent a lot of money trying to find her son. Sadly, he was never found. In 1984, he was officially declared legally dead.
Later Years and Death
Lili Damita passed away on March 21, 1994, in Palm Beach, Florida. She was 89 years old and had Alzheimer's disease. She was buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Fort Dodge, Iowa. This was her last husband's hometown.
Images for kids
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Promotional photo of Damita and Victor McLaglen for The Cock-Eyed World (1929)
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The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1929)
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Damita and Gary Cooper in Fighting Caravans (1931)
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With Ernest Torrence, Gary Cooper, and Tully Marshall in Fighting Caravans (1931)
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With Lester Vail in The Woman Between (1931)
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Thelma Todd, Roland Young, Lili Damita in This Is the Night (1932)
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Charles Ruggles, Cary Grant, Lili Damita and Roland Young in This Is the Night (1932)
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See also
In Spanish: Lili Damita para niños
