Lois Wilson (actress) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lois Wilson
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Wilson in 1920
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| Born | June 28, 1894 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | March 3, 1988 (aged 93) Reno, Nevada, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1915–1952 |
Lois Wilson (born June 28, 1894 – died March 3, 1988) was a famous American actress from the time of silent films. She also directed a couple of short movies and wrote scripts for films.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Lois Wilson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her family moved to Alabama when she was very young. She went to Alabama Normal College, which is now called the University of West Alabama. After graduating, she worked as a teacher for young children. However, she soon decided to try acting in movies instead.
In 1915, Lois won a beauty contest held by Universal Studios and a newspaper called the Birmingham News. This contest was an early version of the Miss Alabama and Miss America pageants. Because of this, Lois is considered the very first Miss Alabama. After winning, she moved to California. She auditioned for the Victor Film Company and got several small acting parts.
Meeting Lois Weber
In 1916, Lois Wilson visited Chicago. There, she met a pioneering female film director named Lois Weber. Weber gave her a small role in her movie The Dumb Girl of Portici. This film starred the famous dancer Anna Pavlova. Lois Weber then brought Lois Wilson to Los Angeles. Weber helped her prepare for stardom, and Lois soon began playing lead roles. She acted alongside famous actors like J. Warren Kerrigan and Frank Keenan.
A Star's Career in Film
After acting in several films at different studios, Lois Wilson joined Paramount Pictures in 1919. She stayed with Paramount until 1927. She was named a WAMPAS Baby Star in 1922. This was a group of young actresses chosen for their promising careers. Lois appeared in an amazing 150 movies!
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Famous Roles and Co-Stars
Two of her most well-known roles were Molly Wingate in The Covered Wagon (1923) and Daisy Buchanan in the silent film version of The Great Gatsby (1926). She received great reviews for her acting in The Covered Wagon. Lois also acted opposite big male stars like Rudolph Valentino and John Gilbert.
Lois Wilson played many different types of characters. She was good at playing romantic leads and also more complex character roles. Even though she successfully moved from silent films to movies with sound, she wasn't happy with the parts she got in the 1930s. She decided to retire in 1941, making only three more films after 1939.
Beyond the Big Screen
After her last movie, The Girl from Jones Beach (1949), which starred Ronald Reagan, Lois tried acting on Broadway and in television. She appeared in popular TV soap operas like The Guiding Light in 1951, The Secret Storm, and The Edge of Night. She often played important character roles in these shows.
In 1926, Lois Wilson was chosen to be the model for the official poster of "America Welcomes the World." This was a big celebration in Philadelphia. In 1934, her acting in the movie No Greater Glory inspired a sculptor in Birmingham, Alabama. The sculptor created a monument for the city's celebration of World Peace Day.
Personal Life
People often described Lois Wilson's screen image as a "soft, marrying kind of woman." However, in real life, she never married. Paramount Pictures chose her to represent the movie industry at the British Empire Exposition in 1924. She was described as a perfect example of an "American girl" in her character, culture, and beauty.
Later Years and Passing
Lois Wilson passed away from pneumonia at the Riverside Hospital for Skilled Care in Reno, Nevada. She was 93 years old. Her funeral was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, California. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in nearby Glendale.
See also
In Spanish: Lois Wilson para niños
