American leading lady Beverly Bayne appeared in many silent Hollywood romances during the 1910s. She and her partner Francis X. Bushman were the first popular romantic team in American cinema. Their chemistry has since been emulated in numerous pairings ranging from John Gilbert and Greta Garbo to Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky. Bayne began her career with Essanay in Chicago; it is there that she met Bushman. The two reached their zenith while working at Metro between 1916-18. The on-screen magic between Bayne and Bushman was real, and in 1918 they were secretly married. Unfortunately, it didn't last and in 1924, the two were publicly divorced. As a result Bayne's career as a leading lady disintegrated. She attempted a comeback in the early 1930s, but failed and by 1935 had retired from films. During the rest of the '30s through the late '40s, Bayne worked on stage and in vaudeville. By 1950, she had retired from performing altogether and had moved to Arizona.
by Sandra Brennan
biography
