Barbara Eva Novak, a captivating and alluring silent screen co-star, is best recognized for her early work as the love interest of renowned cowboy Tom Mix in a total of ten popular westerns. Although she shone in a variety of dramatic and comedic roles alongside other prominent actors of the time, it was her partnership with Mix that would leave a lasting impression.
Born on Valentine's Day in 1898 in St. Louis, Missouri, Eva Novak was one of a multitude of beautiful women who successfully leveraged her wholesome appearance into a career. The daughter of Joseph, an immigrant from Bohemia, and Barbara Novak, Eva began her journey as a Mack Sennett Bathing Beauty and initially worked in comedy for L-KO Company, starring in shorts such as "Roped Into Scandal" (1917) and "Hearts and Flour" (1917).
Two years later, she transitioned to full-length features and was paired with Tom Mix in a series of westerns, including "The Speed Maniac" (1919),"The Feud" (1919),"The Daredevil" (1920),"Desert Love" (1920),"The Rough Diamond" (1921),"Trailin'" (1921),"Sky High" (1922),and "Chasing the Moon" (1922). She also appeared alongside cowboy icon William S. Hart in a couple of his rugged westerns, and was occasionally granted more versatility in a series of enjoyable comedies and dramas.
It was Tom Mix who taught the agile Novak how to perform her own stunts in those western adventures, and she proved to be quite skilled at it until 1921, when she married William Reed, an assistant director and stuntman, who insisted she cease the dangerous tricks.
As the advent of sound approached, Eva's popularity began to wane, and she finished out her career in Australia with her husband. She occasionally returned to film and television, but mostly in minor, unbilled character parts, until the late 1960s when she retired altogether.
Eva Novak passed away at the age of 90 due to pneumonia in Woodland Hills, California. Her older sister, Jane Novak, also had a remarkable career in silent films.
