Thelma Parr was an American actress who is best known for her roles in silent comedy films during the 1920s. Born as Betty Selby on October 19, 1906, in Oregon, she became famous for her work with Mack Sennett and her beauty.
Personal and Family Life
Thelma Parr married musician William Gorman in 1925, but the couple divorced five years later. She later married Emmanuel Titelman in 1933 and had two daughters with him. After her husband’s death in 1966, Thelma focused on raising her children and lived in Florida until her later years.
Career Summary
Initially discovered at the age of fourteen, Thelma quickly rose to fame as a comedic actress and was referred to as one of Hollywood’s beauties. She starred in over thirty short films, including notable titles alongside actor Ralph Graves. Unfortunately, a severe car accident in 1928 led to her retirement from acting, and she only made a brief return to film in 1930.
Death and Legacy
Thelma Parr lived out her later years in San Clemente, California, where she passed away on February 13, 2000, at the age of 93. Despite her early fame, she remained relatively private after retiring, leaving behind a legacy as a talented comedienne of the silent film era.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| His Marriage Wow | 1925-03-01 | Wedding Guest |
| Breaking the Ice | 1925-04-04 | Gloria Morgan – Heiress |
| Smith’s Landlord | 1926-09-19 | Mrs. Crabtree |
| Masked Mamas | 1926-10-30 | Thelma Denton |
| Hurry, Doctor! | 1925-09-20 | Helen Waring |
| Meet My Girl | 1926-03-07 | Thelma Lane |
| Hooked at the Altar | 1926-10-03 | Thelma Stetson |
| Her Actor Friend | 1926-08-29 | Mrs. Charlie Dingle |
| The Perils of Petersboro | 1926-09-26 | Thelma Knight |
| Should Sleepwalkers Marry? | 1927-01-23 | Mrs. George Stevens |
| The Raspberry Romance | 1925-03-01 | Actress Playing Mrs. Arthur Fish |
| Peaches and Plumbers | 1927-02-20 | The Maid |
| Hubby’s Quiet Little Game | 1926-08-08 | Thelma Stone |
| The Gosh-Darn Mortgage | 1926-01-03 | Tessie Spruder |