Lilyan Tashman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lilyan Tashman
Tashman in the 1920s
Born	(1896-10-23)October 23, 1896 New York City, U.S.
Died	March 21, 1934(1934-03-21) (aged 37) New York City, U.S.
Resting place	Washington Cemetery
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1914–1934
Spouse(s)	Al Lee ​ ​ (m. 1914; div. 1921)​ Edmund Lowe ​ ​ (m. 1925)​

Lilyan Tashman (born October 23, 1896 – died March 21, 1934) was a talented American actress. She became famous during the silent film era and successfully moved into movies with sound. Lilyan was known for her unique beauty and strong presence on screen.

Early Life and Beginnings

Family and Childhood

Lilyan Tashman was born in 1896 in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in a Jewish family and was the youngest of eight children. Her father, Morris Tashman, made children's clothes. Her mother was Rose Cook Tashman.

School Days and Early Dreams

Lilyan went to high school in Brooklyn and later finished a special "finishing school." From a young age, she dreamed of performing on stage.

First Steps in Show Business

Before becoming an actress, Lilyan Tashman worked as a model. Her blonde hair and special look made her popular with artists. By 1914, she also started performing in vaudeville shows. In one show, she worked with a rising comedy duo, Eddie Cantor and Al Lee. Lilyan and Al Lee got married in 1914, but they later divorced in 1921. After this, Lilyan focused on finding roles in Broadway shows.

Becoming a Star

Joining the Ziegfeld Follies

For a while, Lilyan struggled to find success on stage. But when she was 17, she met Florenz Ziegfeld, a famous producer. He invited her to join his popular show, the Ziegfeld Follies. In 1916, at age 20, Lilyan appeared in the Follies alongside other new talents like Marion Davies. She continued with the show for three years. In 1919, Lilyan left the Ziegfeld Follies to find even bigger opportunities.

Starting in Movies

Later in 1919, Lilyan got a role in a comedy play called The Gold Diggers. The play was a big hit and ran for two years. Lilyan not only had a supporting role but also filled in for the main actress, Ina Claire.

In 1921, Lilyan Tashman made her first movie, Experience. After some tough times in New York, she decided to move to Hollywood to focus on her film career. In Hollywood, she quickly found a supporting role in the film Head Over Heels (1922). Her role in the play The Garden of Weeds also helped her get the same part in the movie version (1924). From then on, Lilyan appeared in many films and became a well-known figure in Hollywood. She started with smaller film companies but soon worked for the biggest studios.

Meeting Edmund Lowe

While filming Ports of Call (1925), Lilyan met actor Edmund Lowe. They got married on September 21, 1925. They made their home in Hollywood, in an Art Deco house that Lilyan herself might have designed. Both continued their acting careers.

As a married couple, Lilyan and Edmund became even more famous in Hollywood. They hosted many parties at their Beverly Hills home. Lilyan also started appearing on "Best Dressed" lists. All this publicity helped both their film careers grow.

A Successful Film Career

By 1925, Lilyan Tashman had built a strong career as a film actress. She appeared in Pretty Ladies (1925), which also featured Joan Crawford and Myrna Loy in early roles. Other notable films included Seven Days (1926), So This Is Paris (1926), Craig's Wife (1928), and The Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929).

When talking pictures (movies with sound) became popular, Lilyan easily made the switch. She had a deep, rich voice and was confident in delivering her lines, thanks to her many years on stage. She continued to appear in many supporting and even some starring roles.

Later Life and Passing

Struggling with Illness

After a very busy year in 1931, where she made eight films, Lilyan Tashman started working less. Newspapers began to guess about her health. She kept denying there was a problem. Eventually, she was hospitalized and later said she had an appendectomy (appendix removal).

Death and Legacy

Sadly, Lilyan Tashman died soon after, on March 21, 1934, at the age of 38. It was later revealed that she had died of cancer. Hospital officials said she had a very advanced tumor. Her husband, Edmund Lowe, was with her when she passed away in New York City.

Her funeral service was held in New York City, and she was buried at Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Lilyan Tashman left behind a legacy as a talented actress who shone brightly in both silent and talking films.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Lilyan Tashman para niños