Dorothy Devore

[COP11]

Dorothy Devore (June 22, 1899 {though some sources say 1901} - September 10, 1976) was a leading and popular American silent-film actor and comedian in her time.

Early life

Born Alma Inez Williams in Fort Worth, Texas, Dorothy Devore's family soon moved to Los Angeles when she was still a young girl. It was in Los Angeles where Dorothy completed her education and then joined a musical comedy company, with which she appeared for one year. She then went to Lyons and Moran comedies at Universal Pictures. It was at Universal where she was "discovered" by director/producer Al Christie, one of the most famous comedic moviemakers of the era.

Dorothy began playing in small parts in films for Christie, but soon received leads and moved from one-reelers to two-reelers, which would make her a star. Dorothy had the opportunity to work with Christie on a number of occasions.

Career

Dorothy became very popular in the film industry during the period of 1918 until the late 1920s. She was a talented actress, specializing especially in comedic roles, for which she is remembered, such as in Know Thy Wife (1918), directed by Al Christie. Dorothy was chosen as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1923.

During a good deal of her career, Dorothy achieved stardom in the comedic two-reel Christie Comedies, released through Educational. When the chance arose for Dorothy to begin making longer, feature films, she decided to stay with what she was doing at that moment : two-reels, where she had already attracted a good deal of attention.

A little time after her career kicked off, Christie loaned Dorothy out to play the female lead opposite Charles Ray in 45 Minutes from Broadway (1920), where she scored a big success. Following this film, Dorothy declined several feature film offers and immediately returned to two-reelers. Once returned to her real passion in movies, Dorothy made several successful films which established her as one of the screen's most talented comedians of the era.

She made her last film, Take the Heir, in 1930, and began her retirement from the movies. Some sources state that she also made one last film appearance in 1939.

Dorothy married theater owner Albert Wylie Mather in 1926.

Dorothy Devore died at the age of 77 in 1976 in Woodland Hills, California.