Louise Fazenda

Louise Fazenda (June 17, 1895 – April 17, 1962)[1] was an American film actress, appearing chiefly in silent comedy films.

Louise Fazenda
Louise Fazenda, ca. 1920
Born(1895-06-17)June 17, 1895
Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.
DiedApril 17, 1962(1962-04-17) (aged 66)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1913–1939
Spouse(s)
Noel M. Smith
​
(
m. 1917; div. 1926)

​
(
m. 1927)
Children1

Early life

Fazenda was born in her maternal grandparents' house in Lafayette, Indiana,[2] the daughter of Joseph A. Fazenda (1861–1933) and Nelda T. Schilling Fazenda (1857–1939). Fazenda grew up in California, where she attended Los Angeles High School and St. Mary's Convent.

Career
Who's Who in the Film World, 1914

Fazenda was discovered by a scout employed by Mack Sennett in a high school comedy show. She made her first film in 1913. She was best known as a character actor in silent films, playing roles such as a fussy old maid and a blacksmith. She briefly left films during 1921 and 1922 to perform vaudeville.[3] Her transition into talking pictures led to more serious roles.[2] The Old Maid, in 1939, was her last of her nearly 300 movie appearances.

Marriage

In 1927, Fazenda married Hal B. Wallis, a producer at Warner Bros., and they remained married until her death. They had one son, Brent, who became a psychiatrist.[2]

Death

Fazenda died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Beverly Hills, California.[1] Wallis was in Hawaii making a film and left immediately for home. She was interred at the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. At her funeral, many stories were told of Fazenda's volunteer work, such as caring for children at UCLA Medical Center and taking in two children during World War II.[4]

Recognition

Fazenda has a star at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in the Motion Pictures section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[5]

Selected filmography

References
  1. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 178. ISBN 9780786450190.
  2. "Louise Fazenda, star of silent films, dies". Journal & Courier. Lafayette, Indiana. April 18, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved May 29, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Death takes Louise Fazenda of silent films. The Los Angeles Times. April 18, 1962. p. 35 and p. 42. Retrieved May 29, 2018 - via Newspapers.com
  4. "Louise Fazenda's good deeds live after her". Los Angeles Times. April 21, 1962. p. 10. Retrieved May 29, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Louise Fazenda". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Archived from the original on June 17, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.