|
|
Stage Name |
Birth Name |
| Bessie Love |
Juanita Horton |
Dancer and silent film star Bessie Love was born in Texas, but moved
to Hollywood as a little girl. Bessie's mother sent her to Biograph Pictures with the
hopes of her becoming an actress. D.W. Griffith saw that she had some acting ability as
well as being good looking and hired her to do a few bit parts in his Films. Later she
moved to Vitagraph Films and starred in a few comedies.
In 1922, Bessie was honored as a Wampas Baby Star, (the first year
of the award). Bessie was one of the few who would succeed from the silent Films to
the talkies and even won an Academy Award for her part in Broadway Melodies of 1929. However,
by 1931, her star had faded and moved to England. During W.W.II, she entertained our troops
and did some touring with the USO shows as well. She has been recorded as doing the first
"On Screen Charleston" in the 1925 film "King on Main Street". |
