Florence Barker was an American actress who is best known for her roles in “The Newlyweds,” “The Diamond Star,” and “Her Yesterday.” Born on November 22, 1891, in Los Angeles, California, she had a brief but impactful career in the early film industry.
Personal and Family Life
Florence Barker grew up in a farming family with her father, Norman Barker, and four siblings. She started acting with stock companies as a teenager and fell in love with fellow actor Joe De Grasse, who was significantly older than her. They lived together, and De Grasse played a crucial role in advancing her acting career.
Career
Barker made her film debut in 1908 with D.W. Griffith’s “An Awful Moment.” Over the next few years, she starred in more than 50 films, becoming one of the first American actresses to work in Europe. In 1912, she signed with Powers Players and received leading roles in successful comedies. She expressed her passion for acting, encouraging others to pursue careers in film despite the challenges.
Death and Legacy
Tragically, Florence Barker fell ill while visiting her mother in early 1913 and passed away from pneumonia at the age of 21 on February 15, 1913. She was cremated, and her ashes were interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Her early success and untimely death left a lasting impact on the film community.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Faithful | 1910-03-20 | John’s Sweetheart |
| A Voice from the Deep | 1912-03-21 | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| An Awful Moment | 1908-12-18 | |
| Getting Even | 1909-09-12 | |
| Her Terrible Ordeal | 1910-01-10 | Alice |
| His Daughter | 1911-02-23 | Mary |
| The Oath and the Man | 1910-09-21 | Madame Prevost |
| The Newlyweds | 1910-03-03 | Nora Dean |
| A Victim of Jealousy | 1910-06-09 | The Wife |
| The Way of the World | 1910-03-12 | |
| A Child’s Faith | 1910-06-07 | |
| The Man | 1910-02-04 | |
| The Gold Seekers | 1910-03-18 | |
| Serious Sixteen | 1910-06-08 | |
| The Impalement | 1910-04-21 | |
| A Wreath of Orange Blossoms | 1911-01-30 | |
| The Diamond Star | 1911-02-20 | |
| The Kid | 1910-04-14 | Doris Marshall |
| An Affair of Hearts | 1910-05-19 | The Woman |
| The Faded Lilies | 1909-06-17 | |
| The Call | 1910-01-20 | Edith Lawson |
| The Last Deal | 1910-01-27 | |
| The Two Brothers | 1910-05-12 | Mexican |
| The Usurer | 1910-08-15 | |
| The Tenderfoot’s Triumph | 1910-04-21 | The Girl |
| A Midnight Cupid | 1910-06-03 | The Country Girl |