Here is a biography of Mary Philbin:
Mary Philbin was born on July 16, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois, to John Philbin and his first wife, Mary. She was a shy and reserved child who grew up to be a beautiful and talented young woman. Mary's mother was a controlling and domineering figure who often clashed with her husband, while Mary's father was quiet and reserved.
Mary's early life was marked by a strong sense of devotion to her family and her Catholic faith. She was an only child and was spoiled by her mother, who often took her to see plays and operas. Mary fell in love with the stage and began to dream of a career in acting. She took up classical dancing and learned to play the pipe organ and piano, but she was never trained in acting.
Mary's big break came when she was discovered by Erich von Stroheim, a famous director, who cast her in his film "Blind Husbands" (1919). She went on to make several more films, including "The Blazing Trail" (1921),"Danger Ahead!" (1921),and "Foolish Wives" (1922). Mary's talent and beauty quickly made her a star, and she became known as the "Cover Girl" of Hollywood.
Mary's personal life was marked by a series of romantic relationships, including a secret engagement to Paul Kohner, a Universal Studio executive. However, her family disapproved of Paul's Jewish faith, and Mary was forced to choose between her love for him and her loyalty to her family. In the end, Mary chose her family and gave Paul back the ring.
Mary's film career continued to thrive throughout the 1920s, with roles in films such as "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925),"The Man Who Laughs" (1928),and "After the Fog" (1930). However, the advent of sound in films made it difficult for Mary to continue her career, and she eventually retired from acting.
Mary spent the rest of her life as a recluse, living in her family's home and rarely leaving her room. She was discovered to be still alive in the 1960s, and she made a few public appearances before her memory began to decline due to Alzheimer's disease. Mary passed away on May 7, 1993, at the age of 91.
