Marguerite Clayton was an American actress, born on April 12, 1891, in Ogden, Utah, USA. She is best known for her roles in “The Night Workers,” “The Dream Doll,” and “Wolfblood.” Throughout her career, she became famous as a leading lady in early silent films, particularly as a co-star with Broncho Billy Anderson in over 60 westerns.
Personal and Family Life
Marguerite Clayton, originally named Margaret Fitzgerald, was the daughter of a mining engineer. She was educated at a convent and later married Victor Bertrandias, a major in the U.S. Air Force, with whom she had one child. Clayton had a successful film career, working for various studios including Essanay, Paralta, and Paramount.
Career Highlights
Marguerite’s acting career began in the silent film era, where she gained recognition for her performances, particularly in westerns. She left her initial studio, Essanay, in 1917 to freelance and continued to work in films until the early 1930s. In 1922, she made headlines by suing Pathe for $50,000 after being injured on set.
Death and Legacy
Marguerite Clayton passed away on December 20, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, due to a road accident. She left behind a legacy as one of the early blonde leading ladies of silent cinema. Her contributions to film, particularly in the western genre, have not been forgotten, even as the silent film era faded away.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| His Regeneration | 1915-05-07 | The Girl |
| The Palm Beach Girl | 1926-05-17 | Julia |
| Go Get ‘Em Hutch | 1922-01-02 | |
| Wolf Blood | 1925-12-16 | Edith Ford |
| The New Moon | 1919-05-11 | Nadia Kameneff |
| The Film Parade | 1933-01-01 | (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Barriers of the Law | 1925-03-26 | Leila Larkin |
| Canyon of the Fools | 1923-01-21 | May |
| The Night Workers | 1917-05-21 | |
| The Inside of the Cup | 1921-01-16 |