Here is the biography of Clara Kimball Young:
Clara Kimball Young was born Clarisa Kimball on September 6, 1890, to Edward Kimball and the former Mrs. E.M. Kimball, traveling stock company actors. She made her professional debut as an actress at the age of three, touring with the Holden Co. with her parents and playing child parts in the company's repertoire.
Young married actor James Young and was hired by the Vitagraph Co. in 1909. She became a top star at Vitagraph, ranking 17th in a 1913 popularity poll of stars. She made dozens of films at Vitagraph, including the hit "My Official Wife" (1914),which propelled her to the top rank of stardom.
In 1914, producer Lewis J. Selznick signed Young to a personal contract and changed her image into that of an unbridled sexpot. She starred in a series of films, including "Lola" (1914),"The Common Law" (1916),and "The Easiest Way" (1917). However, she grew tired of Selznick's control over her life and career and eventually filed a lawsuit against him, charging fraud.
Young formed her own production company, C.K.Y. Film Corp., and began producing her own films. She starred in a series of films, including "Eyes of Youth" (1919),which was a huge hit. However, her success was short-lived, and she eventually lost control of her career due to Selznick's lawsuits and the decline of her film quality.
In the 1920s, Young's career began to decline, and she was eventually reduced to bit parts and extra work. She attempted to make a comeback in the 1930s, but it was unsuccessful. She eventually retired from acting and spent the rest of her life in poverty.
Young died on October 15, 1960, at the age of 70, and was interred at the Grand View Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
