Francelia Billington was an American actress best known for her roles in “Blind Husbands,” “The Right to Be Happy,” and “The White Sin.” Born on February 1, 1895, in Dallas, Texas, she became a prominent figure in early film.
Personal and Family Life
Francelia Billington grew up on a ranch and became skilled at horseback riding. She was married to Lester Cuneo from 1920 until their divorce in 1925, and they had two children together, Jack L. Billington and Francelia Furlong. Francelia came from a family of performers, being the daughter of James Billington and Adelaide Bueter, and the sister of actress Wanda Webb.
Career
Francelia started acting on stage at a young age before moving to Hollywood, where she found success in westerns and melodramas. She worked with several renowned directors, including D.W. Griffith and Erich von Stroheim. Although she was known for her work in horse operas, one of her notable performances was in “Blind Husbands” (1919), where she showcased her versatility as an actress.
Death and Legacy
Francelia Billington passed away from tuberculosis on November 24, 1934, at the age of 39. Despite her relatively short life, she left a lasting impact on early cinema and is remembered for her contributions to film during the silent era.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Husbands | 1919-10-21 | Margaret Armstrong |
| The Right to Be Happy | 1916-12-25 | Scrooge’s Sweetheart |
| Carmen | 1913-05-26 | Don José’s Sweetheart, Micaëla |
| The White Sin | 1924-02-24 | Grace Van Gore |
| Bettina Loved a Soldier | 1916-08-14 | Suzie Scott |
| The Evil Women Do | 1916-09-25 | |
| Naked Hearts | 1916-05-29 | Maud |
| The Great Air Robbery | 1919-12-28 | Beryl Caruthers |
| The Black Sheep of the Family | 1916-10-23 | Esther Saunders |
| The Masked Heart | 1917-07-02 | Catherine Villiers |
| Heart Strings | 1917-01-22 | Johanna |
| The Day She Paid | 1919-12-21 | |
| Ruy Blas | 1914-01-01 | |
| The Mainspring | 1916-11-27 | Jesse Craven (as W.J. Higby) |
| The Terror | 1920-05-29 | Phyllis Harland |
| Desert Love | 1920-04-20 | Barbara Remington |
| A Rough Shod Fighter | 1917-01-01 | |
| The Boomerang | 1913-01-22 | John’s Wife |
| The Mounted Stranger | 1930-02-08 | Mrs. Coy |
| The Different Man | 1914-05-05 |