Thelma Hill

Thelma Hill was an American actress, famous for her roles in films like “Two Tars,” “Love’s Sweet Piffle,” and “The Fair Co-Ed.” Born on December 12, 1906, in Emporia, Kansas, she became known as one of Mack Sennett’s beloved bathing beauties.

Personal and Family Life

Thelma Hillerman grew up in Los Angeles after her family moved there during her teenage years. She started her career in the film industry while still in school, doing small roles and extra work. In 1934, she married John Sinclair, a stunt double who worked with W. C. Fields, before her life took a tragic turn.

Challenges and Career Decline

Despite her early success in silent films and her reputation as a star, Thelma struggled with alcoholism and depression as the film industry transitioned to sound. This decline affected her work, and she only appeared in seven films during the last five years of her life, compared to over twenty films in 1929 alone.

Death and Legacy

Thelma Hill died on May 11, 1938, just before her 32nd birthday, due to complications from chronic alcoholism, which led to a cerebral hemorrhage. Her death was incorrectly reported as resulting from a stomach ailment, but the truths of her struggles offer insight into her life. She was cremated, and her ashes were placed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Crazy to Act 1927-05-15 The Director’s Wife
Two Plus Fours 1930-08-10 Mary Ginsberg – Max’s Daughter
The Fair Co-Ed 1927-10-22 Rose
Lizzies of the Field 1924-09-07 Race Spectator (uncredited)
Mixed Nuts 1934-02-16 Chorine
Fooling Casper 1928-09-15 Toots
Dumb Daddies 1928-02-03 Thelma
Galloping Bungalows 1924-11-02 Maid / Bathing Beauty
The Pride of Pikeville 1927-06-05 Pearl Pepper
Smile, Buttercup, Smile 1929-01-07 Toots
A Rainy Knight 1925-09-20 The Maid
Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies 1925-06-14 Dancing Girl (uncredited)
His Marriage Wow 1925-03-01 The Maid
Hoboken to Hollywood 1926-09-05 Pinkney’s Bride
Ice Cold Cocos 1926-06-20 Ice Skater
Broke in China 1927-04-23 Minor Role
The Dentist 1932-12-09 Minor Role
The Chorus Kid 1928-04-09 Peggy Powell
The Golfers 1929-09-21 Winnie Martin
The Hansom Cabman 1924-10-12 Betty’s Friend
Clunked on the Corner 1929-01-06 Undetermined Minor Role
Two Tars 1928-11-03 Brunette Girl
Picking Peaches 1924-02-02 Contestant With Blackened Tooth
Pie-Eyed 1925-03-29 Girl in club
The Miracle Woman 1931-07-17 Gussie
His First Flame 1927-05-02 Girl Who Jumps Into the Hoop Net (uncredited)
The Naughty Flirt 1930-12-17 Friend (uncredited)
Riders of the Purple Cows 1924-10-18 Saloon Girl (uncredited)
A Prodigal Bridegroom 1926-06-25 Lizzie Boone
The Golden Age of Comedy 1957-12-26 archive footage
Casper’s Week End 1928-12-19 Toots
Up in Alf’s Place 1919-10-12 Bathing Girl (uncredited)
Casper’s Night Out 1929-03-03 Toots
From Rags to Britches 1925-12-13 Lawler’s Secretary
Hooked at the Altar 1926-10-03 Pansy – Gas House Violet
Little Robinson Corkscrew 1924-09-21 Patsy O’Malley – the French Maid
Flirty Four-Flushers 1926-12-25 Bill Brown’s Fianceé
Peaches and Plumbers 1927-02-20 Sadie McNutt
Cured in the Excitement 1927-06-12 Guest
The Old Barn