Elinor Fair was an American actress who is best known for her roles in The Volga Boatman, The Yankee Clipper, and 45 Calibre Echo.
Personal and Family Life
Elinor Fair was born as Elinor Virginia Crowe on December 21, 1903, in Richmond, Virginia. After the early death of her brother, her family moved to Seattle, Washington, where her father worked as a credit card company manager. Eventually, her parents divorced, and she and her mother lived in Paris, France. Elinor began her career in vaudeville when she was a child and made her film debut at the age of twelve.
Career Highlights
Her acting career took off when she signed a five-year contract with Fox in 1919. Throughout the 1920s, she starred in various films, including The Miracle Man and My Friend from India. Elinor gained recognition as one of the Wampas Baby Stars in 1924 and fell in love with her co-star William Boyd while filming The Volga Boatman. They married in January 1926 but divorced in 1930, shortly after which she faced hardships in her personal life, including struggles with alcoholism.
Death and Legacy
Elinor Fair passed away on April 26, 1957, in Seattle, Washington, from cirrhosis of the liver due to her chronic alcoholism. She was cremated, and her ashes were given to her husband Merle Aubert Martin. Despite her tragic end, her early contributions to film and her status as a leading actress in the silent era are remembered by fans of classic cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Volga Boatman | 1926-05-23 | Vera |
| Big Stakes | 1922-08-12 | Señorita Mercedes Aloyez |
| The Yankee Clipper | 1927-05-07 | Jocelyn Huntington |
| The Night Rider | 1932-08-22 | Barbara Rogers |
| My Friend from India | 1927-12-18 | Bernice / Barbara |
| Let ‘Er Go Gallegher | 1928-01-14 | Clarissa Mahaffey |
| 45 Calibre Echo | 1932-02-05 | Betty |
| The Miracle Man | 1919-08-26 | Claire King |
| The End of the Game | 1919-03-24 | Mona |
| Kismet | 1920-11-14 | Marsinah |
| Through The Back Door | 1921-05-05 | Margaret Brewster |
| Gold and the Girl | 1925-04-05 | Ann Donald |
| The Timber Wolf | 1925-09-20 | Renee Brooks |
| Fires of Conscience | 1916-09-25 | Mabel Jones |
| Broadway Bill | 1934-02-23 | (uncredited) |