Priscilla Dean
Encyclopedia
Priscilla Dean was an American actress popular in movies as well as in theatre.
Dean made her film debut at the age of fourteen in one-reelers for Biograph
and several other studios. She was finally signed on to Universal
in 1911
. She soon gained popularity as the female lead in the comedy series of Eddie Lyons
and Lee Moran
.
She was propelled to stardom after she appeared in The Gray Ghost
in 1917. Following this film, she became very successful in her work. However, when the age of sound dawned, Priscilla's career was severely damaged. She continued to do several low-budget films for minor independent studios during the '30s, but never regained the popularity she had earned in silent films.
She married Wheeler Oakman
, who was also under contract at Universal and appeared in The Virgin of Stamboul
and Outside the Law
with Priscilla. They divorced in the mid 1920's, and at the end of the decade, she married Leslie Arnold, who was famous as one of the "Around The World Flyers." They remained married until his death in the 1960's. She never had children.
Priscilla Dean died in Leonia, New Jersey
at the age of 91 on December 27, 1987 from injuries related to a fall she had suffered the previous September.
Life and career
Born in New York to an active theatrical family (her mother was popular stage actress Mary Preston Dean), Priscilla Dean made her stage debut at the age of four, appearing in plays starring her parents. From then on, she pursued her stage career at the same time as being educated at a convent school until the age of fourteen. Following her leave from school, Priscilla went to work on stage, then tried to get into the movies.Dean made her film debut at the age of fourteen in one-reelers for Biograph
American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
The American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, was a motion picture company founded in 1895 and active until 1928. It was the first company in the United States devoted entirely to film production and exhibition, and for two decades was one of the most prolific, releasing over three thousand short...
and several other studios. She was finally signed on to Universal
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
in 1911
1911 in film
The year 1911 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 23: D.W Griffith shows the first major close-up shot on film with the successful release of The Lonedale Operator proving his ever growing mastery of how to utilise film....
. She soon gained popularity as the female lead in the comedy series of Eddie Lyons
Eddie Lyons
Eddie Lyons was an American film actor, director, writer and producer of the silent era. He appeared in 388, directed 153, wrote for 93 and produced 40 films between 1911 and 1926....
and Lee Moran
Lee Moran
Lee Moran was an American actor, director and writer. He transcended the silent era of motion pictures to the talkies. Moran appeared in 462 films, directed 109 and wrote for 92 between 1912 and 1935....
.
She was propelled to stardom after she appeared in The Gray Ghost
The Gray Ghost (serial)
The Gray Ghost is a 1917 crime-drama film serial directed by Stuart Paton.-Cast:* Harry Carter - The Gray Ghost* Priscilla Dean - Morn Light* Emory Johnson - Wade Hildreth* Eddie Polo - Marco* Gypsy Hart - Cecilia* Wilton Taylor - Ashby...
in 1917. Following this film, she became very successful in her work. However, when the age of sound dawned, Priscilla's career was severely damaged. She continued to do several low-budget films for minor independent studios during the '30s, but never regained the popularity she had earned in silent films.
She married Wheeler Oakman
Wheeler Oakman
Wheeler Oakman was an American film actor.Usually appearing as a henchman in films, rarely a leading role, he appeared in over 280 films between 1912 and 1948....
, who was also under contract at Universal and appeared in The Virgin of Stamboul
The Virgin of Stamboul
The Virgin of Stamboul is a 1920 drama film directed by Tod Browning and starring husband and wife team Priscilla Dean and Wheeler Oakman and featuring Wallace Beery in a supporting role.-Cast:* Priscilla Dean - Sari...
and Outside the Law
Outside the Law (1920 film)
Outside the Law is a 1920 crime film directed by Tod Browning. Browning would remake the film in 1930.Outside the Law is considered to be one of the first psychologically driven films in the gangster genre. It was the second film on which Browning worked with Lon Chaney...
with Priscilla. They divorced in the mid 1920's, and at the end of the decade, she married Leslie Arnold, who was famous as one of the "Around The World Flyers." They remained married until his death in the 1960's. She never had children.
Priscilla Dean died in Leonia, New Jersey
Leonia, New Jersey
Leonia is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,937. It is located near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge....
at the age of 91 on December 27, 1987 from injuries related to a fall she had suffered the previous September.