Kathryn McGuire
Encyclopedia
Kathryn McGuire was an American
silent-film actress and dancer.
, she was said to be recognized by critics and fans alike as one of the rising stars in film. Selected one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars
in 1922, she came from a family who had never had a member partake in the acting profession before.
At an early age, Kathryn's family moved to Aurora, Illinois
and then to Chicago
. Kathryn received her education from the Jennings Seminary in Aurora, and remained there even after her parents left that city. By the time she graduated at about the age of fourteen, her parents were ready to move to California
.
Kathryn was highly interested in dancing, and took classes under the leading ballet masters when she arrived in California. Even after her film career kicked off and she became deeply interested in this new employment, she continued to keep up her dancing.
, as well as her dancing, she participated in a program exhibition at the Maryland Hotel in Pasadena
. Among the spectators was Thomas H. Ince
, who immediately offered Kathryn a solo number in a production he was making. Her dancing skills led her not only to find jobs at Ince, but also at Universal
and Mack Sennett
. It was Sennett who realized that Kathryn had genuine acting capabilities along the lines of her talent for dance after she performed a number in a comedy being produced by Sennett.
Her first serious role came as the "only girl" in The Silent Call (1921). She is probably best remembered today for the parts of The Girl and Betsy O'Brien, alongside Buster Keaton
, in Sherlock Jr. and The Navigator
(both 1924) respectively. She also starred with Gladys Walton
as a second lead in Playing with Fire (1921) for Universal, as well as in The Flame of Life
(1923) with Priscilla Dean
. By 1930, however, her film career had ended.
Kathryn married George Landy and their marriage ended in 1955 upon his death.
Kathryn McGuire died of cancer in 1978 in Los Angeles, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
silent-film actress and dancer.
Early life
Born in Peoria, IllinoisPeoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
, she was said to be recognized by critics and fans alike as one of the rising stars in film. Selected one of the 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...
in 1922, she came from a family who had never had a member partake in the acting profession before.
At an early age, Kathryn's family moved to Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
and then to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Kathryn received her education from the Jennings Seminary in Aurora, and remained there even after her parents left that city. By the time she graduated at about the age of fourteen, her parents were ready to move to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Kathryn was highly interested in dancing, and took classes under the leading ballet masters when she arrived in California. Even after her film career kicked off and she became deeply interested in this new employment, she continued to keep up her dancing.
Career
While studying at the Hollywood High SchoolHollywood High School
Hollywood High School is a Los Angeles Unified School District high school located at the intersection of North Highland Avenue and West Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California.-History:...
, as well as her dancing, she participated in a program exhibition at the Maryland Hotel in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. Among the spectators was Thomas H. Ince
Thomas H. Ince
Thomas Harper Ince was an American silent film actor, director, screenwriter and producer of more than 100 films and pioneering studio mogul. Known as the "Father of the Western", he invented many mechanisms of professional movie production, introducing early Hollywood to the "assembly line"...
, who immediately offered Kathryn a solo number in a production he was making. Her dancing skills led her not only to find jobs at Ince, but also at Universal
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
and Mack Sennett
Mack Sennett
Mack Sennett was a Canadian-born American director and was known as the innovator of slapstick comedy in film. During his lifetime he was known at times as the "King of Comedy"...
. It was Sennett who realized that Kathryn had genuine acting capabilities along the lines of her talent for dance after she performed a number in a comedy being produced by Sennett.
Her first serious role came as the "only girl" in The Silent Call (1921). She is probably best remembered today for the parts of The Girl and Betsy O'Brien, alongside Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton
Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".Keaton was recognized as the...
, in Sherlock Jr. and The Navigator
The Navigator (1924 film)
The Navigator is a 1924 comedy directed by and starring Buster Keaton. The film was written by Clyde Bruckman and co-directed by Donald Crisp.-Plot:...
(both 1924) respectively. She also starred with Gladys Walton
Gladys Walton
Gladys Walton was an American actress of screen and stage.-Early life and career:Born in Boston, Massachusetts and educated in Portland, Oregon, Gladys Walton debuted in films in small parts...
as a second lead in Playing with Fire (1921) for Universal, as well as in The Flame of Life
The Flame of Life
The Flame of Life is a 1923 film starring Priscilla Dean, Robert Ellis, Kathryn McGuire, and Wallace Beery. The movie was written by Elliott J...
(1923) with Priscilla Dean
Priscilla Dean
Priscilla Dean was an American actress popular in movies as well as in theatre.-Life and career:Born in New York to an active theatrical family , Priscilla Dean made her stage debut at the age of four, appearing in plays starring her parents...
. By 1930, however, her film career had ended.
Kathryn married George Landy and their marriage ended in 1955 upon his death.
Kathryn McGuire died of cancer in 1978 in Los Angeles, California
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...
.