Jeanie Macpherson was an American actress and screenwriter, known for her work in films such as “Cleopatra,” “The Buccaneer,” and “The Girl of the Golden West.” She was also one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Personal and Family Life
Born on May 18, 1886, in Boston, Massachusetts, Jeanie was the daughter of Evangeline Tomlinson and John Sinclair Macpherson. She received her education at various institutions, including a school in Paris and Kenwood Institute in Chicago, where she developed her passion for theatre. Jeanie began her career in acting at a young age, winning a gold medal in a school play, which ignited her professional pursuits in the entertainment industry.
Career
Jeanie Macpherson’s acting career began in the early 1900s, where she performed in multiple productions before transitioning into writing and directing. She worked with notable figures such as director Cecil B. DeMille, with whom she developed a long-lasting professional relationship. In addition to acting, she created her own unit at Universal Studios, where she directed and penned several two-reel films. Jeanie’s writing contributions include adapting the story for “The Buccaneer” and working on the screenplay for “Cleopatra.”
Death and Legacy
Jeanie Macpherson passed away on August 26, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, due to cancer. Her contributions to early cinema, particularly in the realm of screenwriting, left an indelible mark on the film industry. Remembered as a pioneer for women in Hollywood, her legacy endures through the works she created and her involvement in founding the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Winning Back His Love | 1910-12-25 | A Servant |
| Money Mad | 1908-12-04 | Bank Customer |
| The Fatal Hour | 1908-08-18 | |
| Confidence | 1909-04-15 | |
| The Curtain Pole | 1909-02-15 | Party planner / Nurse with buggy |
| The Taming of the Shrew | 1908-11-10 | Wedding Party |
| A Flash of Light | 1910-07-17 | |
| The Lesson | 1910-12-19 | A Friend |
| Carmen | 1915-10-31 | Gypsy Girl |
| Mr. Jones Has a Card Party | 1909-01-21 | Guest |
| One Touch of Nature | 1909-01-01 | First Couple |
| The Criminal Hypnotist | 1909-01-18 | Party Guest |
| Mr. Jones at the Ball | 1908-12-25 | Guest at Ball |
| The Christmas Burglars | 1908-12-22 | Customer |
| The Captive | 1915-04-22 | Milka |
| Revenge Is Sweet | 1912-07-16 | One of the Office Girls |
| The Rose of the Rancho | 1914-11-15 | Isabelita, Espinoza’s Daughter |
| The Day After | 1909-12-30 | Party Guest |
| The Girl of the Golden West | 1915-01-04 | Nina |
| Enoch Arden | 1911-06-15 | Woman on the Beach |
| The Butler and the Maid | 1912-04-26 | Jennie the Maid |
| Comrades | 1911-03-13 | The Maid |
| Hollywood | 1923-08-19 | Jeanie Macpherson |