Mary Pickford

Born: 08 April 1892, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died: 29 May 1979, Santa Monica, Calafornia, USA

"It would have been better if the silent form of film was borne from the sound era, and not the other way round".. Wise words perhaps, from Miss Mary Pickford in the latter part of her life. Although not primarily remembered for her silent comedy moments, a website dedicated to all things silent, comedy and Irish, would not be complete without a few personal words about America's Sweetheart.
Her Grandfather John Hennessy left Tralee Co. Kerry in the mid 1800's and took himself to the new land in the hope of a better life and more prospects. Mary herself remembers a childhood of poverty and penny pinching before joining her mother and two younger siblings as they toured the vaudeville circuit in third rate plays and sketches. She was finally noticed by D.W. Griffith and appeared in 51 films in 1909, almost one per week. Her rise was swift and only Chaplin himself surpassed her in popularity in 1916. She cemented her name in history when in 1919, she set up the film Corporation United Artists with Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks.
Always proud of her Irishness, she returned in 1955 and traced some of her roots, meeting countless cousins, proud to be related to this Hollywood star. Her biography is far better noted on this media and it would be an injustice of us if we tried to replicate it here, suffice to say, she deserves her mention on this site. Still unsure of her connection to silent comedy, then watch her 1927 feature, My Best Girl. One scene has her carrying a lot of pots and pans through the store. At one point her petticoat falls down and she casually steps out of it. Another customer thinks it belongs to her and very quickly steps into it while Mary looks on horrified. The entire scene is one that could easily rival Keaton. The film should also be noted as it starred Buddy Rogers, whom Mary would marry some ten years later.