Marion Leonard was an American actress best known for her roles in “What Avails the Crown,” “The Seed of the Fathers,” and “The Voice of the Millions.” Born on June 9, 1881, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she became a prominent figure in silent films.
Personal and Family Life
Marion Leonard was married to Stanner E.V. Taylor from 1909 until his death in 1948. She was known for her beauty and strong resemblance to the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt. Beyond her on-screen career, she occasionally used the pseudonym Lillian Bedford.
Career Highlights
Leonard was significant in early cinema, being one of the first leading ladies at Biograph Studios alongside Florence Auer. She featured in the first film ever shot in Hollywood, “In Old California” (1910), and claimed to have been the highest-paid actress in the world at one point, with a weekly salary of $1,000 from Monopol Film Company, which later went bankrupt.
Death and Legacy
Marion Leonard passed away on January 9, 1956, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. Her contributions to silent film have been recognized, particularly her collaborations with director D.W. Griffith, impacting the industry during its formative years.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Sealed Room | 1909-09-02 | The Countess |
| Resurrection | 1909-05-20 | A Prisoner |
| Lucky Jim | 1909-04-25 | Gertrude |
| In Old California | 1910-03-10 | Perdita |
| What Avails the Crown | 1912 | |
| The Seed of the Fathers | 1913 | |
| The Voice of the Millions | 1912 |