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Gertrude Olmstead

Gertrude Olmstead(November 13, 1897[1]– January 18, 1975) was an American actress of thesilent era.She appeared in 56 films between 1920 and 1929. Her last name was sometimes seen asOlmsted.[1][2]

Gertrude Olmstead
Olmstead in 1927
Born(1897-11-13)November 13, 1897
Chicago, Illinois,U.S.
DiedJanuary 18, 1975(1975-01-18)(aged 77)
Beverly Hills, California,U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1920–1929
Spouse
​
​
(m.1926; died 1968)​

Career

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Olmstead was born inChicago,Illinois,[3]and was noticed after winning a 5,900-entrant[4]contest to represent "The Spirit of America" at the 1920Elks Clubnational convention.[5]The victory included an opportunity to receive a $10,000 one-year contract to appear in films.[6]

Olmstead initially was signed byUniversal Motion Picture company.[7]Her first film wasTipped Off(1920),[8]following which she became the leading lady in western films that starredHoot Gibson.[9]She appeared in her first credited film role in the 1921 filmThe Fox.She obtained several more roles that same year, appearing in nine films in 1921, and another five in 1922. She appeared in 17 more films by the time she received what is today her best-known role, oppositeRudolph Valentinoin the 1925 filmCobra.

Throughout the silent film era her career thrived. From 1925 through 1929 she appeared in twenty eight films, most often portraying theheroine.With the advent ofsound filmher career stalled, and she retired from acting in 1929.

Personal life and death

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In 1926 she metMGMdirectorRobert Z. Leonardand they were married in Santa Barbara[1]on June 8 of that year. Leonard and Olmstead remained married until his death in 1968.[10]

After Leonard's death, Olmstead remained in theLos Angelesarea, and died inBeverly Hillson January 18, 1975.[3]She is interred atGlendale'sForest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery,near her husband.

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^abcSlide, Anthony (2010).Silent Players: A Biographical and Autobiographical Study of 100 Silent Film Actors and Actresses.University Press of Kentucky.ISBN9780813137452.RetrievedJanuary 14,2019.
  2. ^"Gertrude Olmsted Plays Small Town Bell in 'The Monster'".Pittsburgh Daily Post.Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. March 22, 1925. p. 57.RetrievedJanuary 14,2019– viaNewspapers.
  3. ^abVazzana, Eugene Michael (1995).Silent Film Necrology: Births and Deaths of Over 9000 Performers, Directors, Producers, and Other Filmmakers of the Silent era, Through 1993.McFarland. p. 252.
  4. ^"Wins Prize".Santa Ana Register.California, Santa Ana. July 8, 1920. p. 1.RetrievedJanuary 14,2019– viaNewspapers.
  5. ^"Winner Announced in Elks Beauty Contest: 17-Year-Old La Salle Girl Is Chosen to Lead Parade and Star in Film".Exhibitors Herald.10(26). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company:64.June 26, 1920.
  6. ^"Illinois Girl Wins $10,000 Beauty Prize".Logansport Pharos-Tribune.Indiana, Logansport. June 17, 1920. p. 1.RetrievedJanuary 13,2019– viaNewspapers.
  7. ^"Elks Meet Contest Winner".Salt Lake Telegram.Utah, Salt Lake City. July 15, 1920. p. 2.RetrievedJanuary 14,2019– viaNewspapers.
  8. ^"Contest Winner Is Making Good".The Vancouver Sun.Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver. January 9, 1921. p. 28.RetrievedJanuary 14,2019– viaNewspapers.
  9. ^"Shifts Leading Women".The Los Angeles Times.California, Los Angeles. December 30, 1920. p. 32.RetrievedJanuary 14,2019– viaNewspapers.
  10. ^Willis, John A. (1969).Screen World.Vol. 20. Crown Publishers. p. 236.
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