Vedah Bertram was an American actress who is best known for her roles in the Broncho Billy western series. Born Adele Buck, she gained fame during the early days of cinema in the early 1910s.
Personal and Family Life
Vedah Bertram was born Adele Buck on December 4, 1891, in Boston, Massachusetts, into a well-off family. Her father, Jerome Buck, was a wealthy newspaper publisher. Despite her family’s disapproval, she pursued a career in films after catching the eye of film cowboy star G.M. Anderson, who invited her to co-star in his westerns.
Film Career
She adopted the stage name Vedah Bertram to protect her family’s reputation as she entered the film industry. Vedah quickly became popular, starring in approximately 24 short western films, including “The Ranch Girl’s Mistake” and “Broncho Billy Outwitted.” Her success established her as one of the earliest film personalities, and her work contributed to the popularity of the western genre at the time.
Death and Legacy
Tragically, Vedah Bertram died on August 26, 1912, at the young age of 20 from complications of acute appendicitis following surgery. Her passing generated significant media attention, marking her as one of the first actresses to be mourned by the public, a fact that added to the shock for her parents, who were reportedly unaware of her film career.
Filmography
| Title | Type | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broncho Billy Outwitted | Short | 1912 | Vedah Trent |
| Broncho Billy for Sheriff | Short | 1912 | (unconfirmed) |
| Broncho Billy’s Escapade | Short | 1912 | Vedah Morley |
| Broncho Billy’s Last Hold-Up | Short | 1912 | Vedah Barclay |
| Broncho Billy’s Pal | Short | 1912 | Vedah Craig |
| A Moonshiner’s Heart | Short | 1912 | Vedah Stevens |
| A Wife of the Hills | Short | 1912 | Bart McGrew’s Wife |
| The Smuggler’s Daughter | Short | 1912 | Vedah Gregg, the Smuggler’s Daughter |
| A Story of Montana | Short | 1912 | Clayton’s Daughter |
| Broncho Billy’s Narrow Escape | Short | 1912 | Lois Martin |
| On the Cactus Trail | Short | 1912 | Vedah Powers |
| Broncho Billy and the Indian Maid | Short | 1912 | Laughing Fawn |
| The Foreman’s Cousin | Short | 1912 | Sue Jordan |
| Broncho Billy’s Gratitude | Short | 1912 | Mrs. Hart |
| Western Hearts | Short | 1912 | Vedah |