Duane Thompson
Encyclopedia
Duane Thompson was an American film actress in the early pioneering years of Hollywood's silent film era.
Thompson, born as Duane Maloney in Red Oak, Iowa
, moved to Hollywood in the early-1920s to pursue a career in acting. She received her first film role in 1921, starring opposite Vernon Dent
and Violet Joy in Up and at 'em.
She did not receive her next role until 1923, when she starred in Hot Water opposite Neal Burns
. That film launched her into regular roles, with her starring in four films that year. From 1923 to 1929, Thompson starred in 37 films, with another three films in uncredited roles.
In 1925, she was one of thirteen girls selected as "WAMPAS Baby Stars
", alongside future Hollywood legend June Marlowe
. It was said at the time she was selected by "WAMPAS" that "Duane Thompson, 20, Red Oak, Iowa, is steadily climbing to success. First Christie Comedies, and now leading lady for Walter Hiers
."
However, like so many stars of the silent film era, the advent of "talking films" promptly stopped her career. Unable to make the successful transition, she had no film offers until 1937, when she had a small role in Hollywood Hotel. Following that film she retired, settling in Los Angeles
, where she lived until her death on August 15, 1970 at the age of 67.
Thompson, born as Duane Maloney in Red Oak, Iowa
Red Oak, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 5,742 in the city, with a population density of . There were 2,887 housing units, of which 2,406 were occupied....
, moved to Hollywood in the early-1920s to pursue a career in acting. She received her first film role in 1921, starring opposite Vernon Dent
Vernon Dent
Vernon Bruce Dent was a comic actor who appeared in over 400 films in his career. He co-starred in many short films for Columbia Pictures, frequently as the foil to the Three Stooges.-Early career:...
and Violet Joy in Up and at 'em.
She did not receive her next role until 1923, when she starred in Hot Water opposite Neal Burns
Neal Burns
Neal Burns was an American film actor, screenwriter and director. He appeared in 198 films between 1915 and 1946....
. That film launched her into regular roles, with her starring in four films that year. From 1923 to 1929, Thompson starred in 37 films, with another three films in uncredited roles.
In 1925, she was one of thirteen girls selected as "WAMPAS Baby Stars
WAMPAS Baby Stars
The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a promotional campaign sponsored by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers in the United States which honored thirteen young women each year whom they believed to be on the threshold of movie stardom. They were selected from 1922 to 1934, and annual...
", alongside future Hollywood legend June Marlowe
June Marlowe
June Marlowe , was an American actress, who appeared in six Our Gang short subjects as the lovely schoolteacher Miss Crabtree.-Career:...
. It was said at the time she was selected by "WAMPAS" that "Duane Thompson, 20, Red Oak, Iowa, is steadily climbing to success. First Christie Comedies, and now leading lady for Walter Hiers
Walter Hiers
Walter Hiers Walter Hiers Walter Hiers (18 July 1893 Cordele, Georgia, USA - 27 February 1933 Los Angeles, California, USA was an American silent film actor who died from pneumonia aged 39. In his twenty year career spanning from 1912 to 1932 he starred in 101 films. He was a particularly prolific...
."
However, like so many stars of the silent film era, the advent of "talking films" promptly stopped her career. Unable to make the successful transition, she had no film offers until 1937, when she had a small role in Hollywood Hotel. Following that film she retired, settling in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, where she lived until her death on August 15, 1970 at the age of 67.