Eileen Sedgwick was an American actress best known for her roles in “The Lure of the Circus,” “A Girl in Every Port,” and “The Great Radium Mystery.” Born on October 17, 1898, in Galveston, Texas, she had a significant impact in the silent film era before retiring with the arrival of sound films.
Personal and Family Life
Eileen came from a theatrical family, with her parents, Edward Sedgwick and Josephine Walker, both being stage actors. She had two siblings: a brother, Edward, who became a respected comedy director, and a sister, Josie, who also pursued an acting career. Eileen married twice, first to Justin H. McCloskey and later to Clarence Dwynell Hutson, with whom she had a daughter named Mimi Hutson.
Career
Eileen began her acting career around 1914 and gained popularity by 1918 after stepping in to complete a serial film, “The Lure of the Circus.” Over the next decade, she featured in numerous serials but eventually wanted to transition to non-serial films. She changed her stage name to Greta Yoltz for a brief period and returned to using her real name before retiring from acting.
Death and Legacy
Eileen Sedgwick passed away on March 15, 1991, in Marina del Rey, California, due to pneumonia. Her contribution to silent films and her family legacy in the entertainment industry are remembered fondly by film historians. The Sedgwick family remains significant in the history of American theater and film.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| A Girl in Every Port | 1928-02-26 | Girl Cyclist in Amsterdam |
| Lightnin’ Wins | 1926-10-04 | Babe the Vamp |
| The Lure of the Circus | 1918-11-18 | Alicia Page |
| Hell’s Crater | 1918-01-14 | Undetermined Role |
| Speed | 1927-10-09 | Mildred Harrison |
| Lightnin’ Flashes | 1926-11-01 | Mildred Harrison |
| Man and Beast | 1917-06-25 | Gretel von Haagen |
| Judgement | 1922-01-01 | Sadie |
| The Kid’s Nap | 1914-08-29 | Mrs. Max Heimer |
| The Heritage of Hate | 1916-11-13 | Ellen |
| Roped and Tied | 1918-08-17 | Minnie Ralston – The Boss of Hell Gate |
| The Fighting Ranger | 1925-05-11 | Mary Marshall |
| The Honeymoon Surprise | 1917-01-23 | Eileen Northcote |
| The Vanishing West | 1928-10-15 | Betty Kincaid |
| The Strings of Steel | 1926-06-28 | Gloria Van Norton |
| Tin Hats | 1926-11-28 | Freida |
| The Great Radium Mystery | 1919-10-13 | Gloria Marston |
| In the Days of Daniel Boone | 1923-06-25 | Susan Boone |
| Making Monkey Business | 1917-06-12 | Betty |
| Wolf Pack | 1922-03-16 | Jeanne Lamont |
| The White Rider | 1920-09-15 | Jewel Brand |