Alma Rubens on AllMovie

A beautiful but deeply troubled and ultimately tragic Hollywood star of the early '20s, Alma Rubens enjoyed early success opposite Douglas Fairbanks in no less than four of that star's popular films, including the delightful but somewhat prophetic The Mystery of the Leaping Fish. This comedy poked fun at drug addiction, of all things, and addiction to heroin would prove Rubens downfall in real life. She was still beautiful and regal in the early '20s when she signed a contract with newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. Although Hearst spent most of his time overseeing the vehicles of his mistress Marion Davies, Rubens was awarded such plums as the costume epic Under the Red Robe (1923). But her heroin habit would have a devastating effect on both health and beauty, and by the middle of the decade she was spending an increasing amount of time at various mental institutions. In 1929, Rubens was surprisingly awarded the tragic role of the mulatto Julie in the first version of Show Boat, but it was a last hurrah. Weakened by her addiction, she succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 33.