Born into a performing family, at age two she began appearing in her parents' vaudeville act. In 1916, at age 14, she debuted onscreen, but did little film work before the early '20s, when she became one of the most popular silent heroines. She was known as "The American Venus," after the title of one of her films; very highly paid, she usually played wholesome roles but lived a life of grandeur, becoming known as "Paramount's clotheshorse" and living in a mansion, owning a Rolls Royce, and employing a chauffeur. She continued working into the sound era, then retired from the screen in 1941 after having appeared in more than 150 productioins. She went on to perform in radio soap operas; much later, she was on a TV soap opera. Her first husband was actor/producer George Webb.
by Rovi
biography
