Mildred Davis
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2019) |
Mildred Davis Lloyd | |
|---|---|
 Davis with a dog in 1921 | |
| Born | Mildred Hillary Davis February 22, 1901 |
| Died | August 18, 1969 (aged 68) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | "Friends School" |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1916–1923, 1927–1969 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, including Harold Lloyd Jr. |
Mildred Hillary Davis[1] (February 22, 1901[citation needed][note 1][2] – August 18, 1969) was an American actress who appeared in fifteen of Harold Lloyd's classic silent comedies and eventually married him.
Early life and career
The daughter of Howard Beckett Davis,[3] she was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and educated at the Friends School in Philadelphia. After several years spent studying, she traveled to Los Angeles in the hopes of securing a role in a film. After appearing in several small roles, she caught the attention of Hal Roach, who pointed her out to comedian Lloyd. He was looking for a leading lady to replace Bebe Daniels, and cast Davis in his comedy short From Hand to Mouth in 1919. It would be the first of fifteen films they would star in together.
On February 10, 1923, she married Lloyd. After their marriage, Lloyd announced that Davis would not appear in any more motion pictures. After much persuasion on Davis' part, and much grief, she received Lloyd's consent for her return to the screen in Too Many Crooks, which Lloyd produced through his production company. It was the only acting role she undertook after her marriage.
Personal life and death
She and Lloyd had three children including daughters Peggy and Gloria Lloyd and son, Harold Lloyd Jr. Davis was very active in Beverly Hills and as hostess at the Lloyds' estate, Greenacres, where she particularly enjoyed rose gardening. Her brother was actor Jack Davis of Our Gang, later a prominent Beverly Hills physician.[citation needed]
The couple remained very close for their entire life together. She found comfort in her strong friendships with actresses Marion Davies and Colleen Moore. She also developed a long-lasting friendship with Lloyd's assistant, Roy Brooks, who lived with them at Greenacres for over 40 years.[citation needed]
On August 18, 1969, Davis died in St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.[4]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Marriage à la Carte | |
| 1917 | What'll We Do with Uncle? | |
| Fighting Mad | Lily Sawyer | |
| 1918 | Bud's Recruit | Edith's sister |
| A Weaver of Dreams | Margery Gordon | |
| 1919 | All Wrong | Betty Thompson |
| Start Something | ||
| All at Sea | ||
| Call for Mr. Caveman | ||
| Giving the Bride Away | ||
| Looking for Trouble | ||
| Tough Luck | ||
| From Hand to Mouth | The Girl | |
| 1920 | Red Hot Hottentotts | |
| Why Go Home? | ||
| The Floor Below | ||
| His Royal Slyness | Princess Florelle | |
| Getting His Goat | ||
| Haunted Spooks | The Girl | |
| An Eastern Westerner | The Girl | |
| High and Dizzy | The Girl | |
| Get Out and Get Under | The Girl | |
| Number, Please? | The Girl | |
| 1921 | Humor Risk | |
| Now or Never | The Girl | |
| Among Those Present | Miss O'Brien, The Girl | |
| I Do | Wife | |
| Never Weaken | The Girl | |
| A Sailor-Made Man | The Girl | |
| 1922 | Grandma's Boy | His Girl |
| Doctor Jack | The Sick-Little-Well-Girl | |
| 1923 | Safety Last! | The Girl |
| Temporary Marriage | Hazel Manners | |
| Condemned | The Girl | |
| 1927 | Too Many Crooks | Ceia Mason |
Notes
- ^ The reference book Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory gives Davis's birth date as January 1, 1900.
References
- ^ Vance, Jeffrey; Lloyd, Suzanne (2002). Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian. Harry N. Abrams. p. 52. ISBN 0-8109-1674-6.
- ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ "A Full Life". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. September 12, 1955. p. 3. Retrieved 28 August 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ex-Actress Mildred Davis, Harold Lloyd's Wife, Dies". The Fresno Bee. Associated Press. August 19, 1969. p. 5. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
External links
- Mildred Davis at IMDb
- Mildred Davis at Virtual History
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