Mary Miles Minter
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
Minter's birthdate has been the subject of great debate. According to some US government records and parish records in Louisiana, Minter was born on April 25, 1902. A birth certificate filed some twenty years later gave April 1, 1902 as her date of birth. Most sources list the latter, including Minter's death certificate.
In 1916, director James Kirkwood reportedly performed a "mock marriage ceremony" with Minter after which they engaged in sexual relations resulting in Minter becoming pregnant. Her mother arranged for her to have an abortion and then blocked all attempts by Kirkwood to contact her daughter.
Biography
This silent screen star was signed by Adolph Zukor at Famous Players-Lasky to replace Mary Pickford. Mary Miles Minter appeared in nearly 50 films, usually in innocent girl roles, before the infamous William Desmond Taylor murder case brought her career to an abrupt halt. The prominent director, with whom Minter had been linked romantically, was shot to death on February 2, 1922. Reportedly, the actress had visited the director on the night of the shooting; the ensuing scandal ended Minter's film career.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Life Events
1907
At age five, made stage acting debut in "Cameo Kirby"
1912
Began film acting career at age ten billed as Juliet Shelby in "The Nurse"
1915
Second film, "The Fairy and the Waif"
1916
Starred in "Dimples"
1917
Signed contract with American Film Company
1919
Had title role in the silent "Anne of Green Gables"; film is reportedly no longer extant
1920
Filed lawsuit against the American Film Company alleging they owed her $4125 in back salary; the studio countersued for over $102,000; a jury found in the actress' favor and awarded her the $4000
1921
Starred in "The Lttle Clown"
1922
Career was destroyed by the unsolved William Desmond Taylor murder
1923
Final film "Drums of Fate"
1925
Filed lawsuit against mother seeking recovery of money earned while she was acting; settled out of court in 1927
Family
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
Minter's birthdate has been the subject of great debate. According to some US government records and parish records in Louisiana, Minter was born on April 25, 1902. A birth certificate filed some twenty years later gave April 1, 1902 as her date of birth. Most sources list the latter, including Minter's death certificate.
In 1916, director James Kirkwood reportedly performed a "mock marriage ceremony" with Minter after which they engaged in sexual relations resulting in Minter becoming pregnant. Her mother arranged for her to have an abortion and then blocked all attempts by Kirkwood to contact her daughter.
