Julia Faye, a talented actress and model, was born in Richmond, Virginia, to French-American parents, and was known for her distinctive Southern drawl. At just six months old, her family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where she spent most of her early childhood. Julia was educated at Illinois State University, but her parents had envisioned a teaching career for her, which she eventually abandoned.
Instead, Julia embarked on a modeling career, earning the nickname "the girl with the perfect legs" and "the prettiest feet and ankles in America" due to her stunning physical appearance. Her modeling work caught the attention of director Cecil B. DeMille, who invited her to audition, and soon she found herself fast-tracked to the silver screen.
Initially, Julia appeared in small roles at Fine Arts-Paramount, often doubling for actresses with less impressive physical attributes. In 1916, she joined Keystone as one of Mack Sennett's Bathing Beauties, where she showcased her comedic skills and occasionally performed her own stunts.
Despite limitations in her acting abilities, Julia possessed sophistication, wit, and charm, which contributed to her having a successful career throughout the 1920s. She was featured in supporting roles in several of DeMille's big-budget films, including The Ten Commandments, The Volga Boatman, and The King of Kings.
In 1929, Julia received her best opportunity to showcase her acting skills in the film Dynamite, co-written by Jeanie Macpherson, another DeMille protégée and mistress. However, by the early 1930s, her career began to decline, and she eventually turned to screenwriting, studying under DeMille's guidance for three years.
Despite her efforts, Julia was unable to secure significant screenwriting work, and her offers from Hollywood eventually dried up. DeMille continued to support her, putting her on the payroll as a regular stock player, and she went on to appear in cameos and bit parts in his films for another two decades.
Julia's last film role was as a dowager in The Buccaneer (1958),and she passed away in April 1966 at the age of 72. Throughout her career, Julia Faye was recognized for her unique talent and contributions to the film industry, earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
