Lillian Knight

Lillian Knight (née Unold) (March 23, 1883 – May 16, 1946) was an American western star and silent film actress. An obituary called her "the First Film Queen of the West."[1]

Lillian Knight
Born
Lillian Unold

(1883-03-23)March 23, 1883
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
DiedMay 16, 1946(1946-05-16) (aged 63)
Pomona, California, US
Other namesLillian Dorris
Occupationperformer, actress

Early life and background

She was born Lillian E. Unold in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[2] When she was sixteen, she volunteered to ride a bronco side saddle when Tiger Bill's Wild West show was at Pabst Park. She won a cash prize and a contract with William Dickey, the show's owner.[3]She was billed as the world's greatest woman rider. She performed in the 101 Ranch, Tiger Bill, Pawnee Bill,[4] and Buffalo Bill shows.[5] She toured the country and rode wild horses; she became a "crack shot" and performed with Annie Oakley.[2]

Film career
Knight (centre) in The Jilt (1915)

Knight came to California in 1906. She lived in Pasadena until five years before her death.[2]

She performed in films under the name Lillian Knight. Two of her early films were Custer's Last Fight and The Deserter. Later she worked in Tom Mix films.[5] She was in an accident in 1913 that stalled her career. She did not walk unassisted for four years following the accident.[2]

Personal life and death

Knight was once engaged to Ken Maynard.[2] At the time of her death on May 16, 1946, in Pomona, California, she was known as Mrs. Lillian E. Dorris.[5] She died at Pomona Valley Community Hospital.[2] She was survived by her husband, William Dorris.[1]

Selected filmography

References
  1. "Obituary". The Pomona Progress Bulletin. 1946-05-16. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Early Star Dies Here". The Pomona Progress Bulletin. 1946-05-16. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. McArthur, Annabel Douglas. "Lillian Knight, Stunt Rider." Exclusively Yours. Vol. 24. 1971.
  4. "Wild West Wisdom and Frontier Frivolity: Lillian Knight". The Billboard. 29 (32). 1917-08-11. p. 28 – via Proquest.
  5. The Final Curtain. Billboard. 1946-06-08. Retrieved 2020-04-23.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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