Mary Philbin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mary Philbin
Philbin c. 1920
Born	(1902-07-16)July 16, 1902 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	May 7, 1993(1993-05-07) (aged 90) Huntington Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1918–1930
Partner(s)	Paul Kohner (1923–1927)

Mary Loretta Philbin (born July 16, 1902 – died May 7, 1993) was an American actress. She was famous during the silent film era, which was a time when movies had no spoken words. Mary Philbin played important roles like Christine Daaé in the 1925 movie The Phantom of the Opera, where she starred with Lon Chaney. She also played Dea in The Man Who Laughs alongside Conrad Veidt.

Early Life of Mary Philbin

Mary Philbin was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 16, 1902. She grew up in an Irish American family that was Catholic. Mary was the only child and was named after her mother. Her father, John Philbin, came to America in 1900 from Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland.

Mary Philbin's Acting Career

Postcard of Mary Philbin, c. 1922

Mary Philbin started her acting career after winning a beauty contest. This contest was held by Universal Pictures in Chicago. After she moved to California, a famous director named Erich von Stroheim signed her to a contract. He called her a "Universal Super Jewel."

She first appeared on screen in 1921. The next year, she was honored as one of the first WAMPAS Baby Stars. This was a special award given to young women who were expected to become big movie stars.

During the 1920s, Mary Philbin starred in many popular films. One of her notable roles was in D. W. Griffith's 1928 movie Drums of Love. In 1927, she appeared in Surrender with Ivan Mosjoukine.

Her most famous role was in the horror film The Phantom of the Opera in 1925. People often said she had a special, almost magical presence on screen. One magazine even described her as "one of the astonishing anomalies of motion pictures."

With Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera

Mary Philbin acted in a few movies when "talkies" (movies with sound) first started. She even recorded her own voice when The Phantom of the Opera was re-released with sound. She stopped acting in 1930. After that, she spent her time taking care of her parents.

Later Life and Passing

After leaving the film industry, Mary Philbin lived a very quiet life. She stayed in the same home in Huntington Beach, California. She never got married and rarely appeared in public.

One time she did appear in public was when she was older. She attended the opening of the musical The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber in Los Angeles.

Mary Philbin passed away in 1993 at the age of 90. She died from pneumonia. She was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Filmography

Mary Philbin in Danger Ahead (1921)

Arthur Edmund Carewe & Mary Philbin in The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

See also

In Spanish: Mary Philbin para niños