Valeska Suratt was an American actress who is best known for her roles in early 20th-century films and her sensational stage presence. Born on June 28, 1882, in Terre Haute, Indiana, she became an iconic figure known for her glamorous costumes and extravagant performances.
Personal and Family Life
Valeska Suratt married twice but did not have any children. Her first marriage was to William J. Flannery, known as Billy Gould, in 1904, but they divorced in 1911. Later that year, she married Fletcher Norton, and they remained together until his death in 1941.
Career Highlights
Suratt began her career in vaudeville and made her Broadway debut in 1906 with “The Belle of Mayfair.” She quickly gained fame for her voluptuous movements and expensive outfits, with some costumes costing as much as $25,000. Despite her successes, by the late 1920s, her popularity faded, and she stepped out of the spotlight.
Death and Legacy
Valeska Suratt passed away on July 2, 1962, at the age of 80 in a nursing home in Washington, D.C. While many of her films are now considered lost, her distinctive style and impact on early American theater and cinema continue to be remembered.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Soul of Broadway | 1915-10-18 | Grace Leonard, aka La Valencia |
| The Immigrant | 1915-12-20 | Masha |
| The Straight Way | 1916-09-18 | Mary Madison |
| Jealousy | 1916-11-20 | Anne Baxter |
| A Rich Man’s Plaything | 1917-09-30 | Marie Grandon |
| The Victim | 1916-12-25 | Ruth Merrill |
| The New York Peacock | 1917-02-05 | Zena |
| She | 1917-04-23 | Ayesha, aka ‘She’ |
| The Slave | 1917-06-03 | Caroline |
| The Siren | 1917-07-01 | Cherry Millard |
| Wife Number Two | 1917-07-29 | Emma Rolfe |