Constance Talmadge

Though not as famous as her big sister Norma, silent era actress Constance Talmadge was a star in her own right who made her name and her fortune as a leading performer in a number of successful films. While Norma fared better in dramatic roles, Talmadge displayed adept skill and timing in scores of comedies. After making her debut in 1914, she made a number of comedies every year, but ironically had her big breakthrough in D.W. Griffith's epic drama, "Intolerance" (1916), in which she played the plucky Mountain Girl. The role proved popular enough that Griffith featured her again in another film, "The Fall of Babylon" (1919). Talmadge became a big star in the 1920s with films like "In Search of a Sinner" (1920), "East is West" (1922) and "Her Night of Romance" (1924). By the time she starred in "Her Sister from Paris" (1925), Talmadge was one of the most popular comedic actresses in Hollywood. She went on to make "The Duchess of Buffalo" (1926) and "Venus of Venice" (1927), only to abruptly retire before the talkie era came into bloom following her last silent picture, "Venus" (1929). Talmadge lived quietly as a wealthy woman until her death in 1973, only to see her stature as one of Hollywood's top performers vanish along with most of the 80-plus films she made.