Born in Chicago in 1885, Myrtle Stedman, née Lincoln, was a talented individual who developed her musical abilities at a young age. By the time she was 12, she was already performing onstage, singing light opera in the chorus. As she grew older, she progressed to singing leads in various shows, eventually deciding to abandon her music career to pursue a life in the movies.
Myrtle and her actor-husband, Marshall Stedman, were signed by the Selig Polyscope Co. in 1911, marking the beginning of her film career. Her first credit was The Two Orphans, a three-reeler, and she often worked alongside Marshall during the early years of her career. However, it was Myrtle who truly stood out with moviegoers, earning the nickname "the girl with the pearly eyes." She was not only an enchanting and enigmatic presence in film drama but also showcased her athletic abilities in westerns and action adventures.
In 1914, Myrtle moved to the Bosworth Company, where she appeared in notable silents such as The Country Mouse, Jane, Peer Gynt, and Hypocrites, directed by pioneer lady director Lois Weber. Her reputation as a fine actress continued to grow with roles in The American Beauty, As Men Love, In the Hollow of Her Hand, and The Teeth of the Tiger. Her son, Lincoln Stedman, made his debut as a juvenile player around this time, and Myrtle and her husband divorced in 1919.
Following her success in Reckless Youth and The Famous Mrs. Fair, which was considered one of her finest performances, Myrtle's star began to fade, and she started supporting other stars such as Colleen Moore in Flaming Youth, May McAvoy in Tessie, and Mary Astor in No Place to Go. With the advent of sound, Myrtle transitioned into matronly secondary roles in films like The Jazz Age, Little Accident, Beau Ideal, Klondike, and The Widow in Scarlet. However, by 1933, she had regressed to unbilled roles and remained in that capacity until her death.
Tragically, Myrtle suffered a heart attack in late 1937 and declined quickly, passing away on January 8, 1938, at the age of 52. Her ex-husband, Marshall Stedman, died in 1943, and her son, Lincoln, died in 1948.
