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{{short description|American actress}}

{{about||the American political scientist|Frances E. Lee|the American forensic scientist|Frances Glessner Lee|the English aristocrat and philanthropist|Frances Lee, Countess of Lichfield}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Frances Lee
| name = Frances Lee
Line 4: Line 10:
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption = Postcard (1928–1930)
| caption = Postcard (1928–1930)
| birth_name = Myrna (or Merna) Tibbetts
| birth_name = Merna Phyllis Tibbetts
| birth_date = {{birth date|1906|5|5|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1906|5|5|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Eagle Grove, Iowa]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Eagle Grove, Iowa]], U.S.
Line 11: Line 17:
| occupation = Actress, Ziegfeld Girl
| occupation = Actress, Ziegfeld Girl
| years_active = 1924–1935
| years_active = 1924–1935
| spouse = Alexander Bennett (1935–1977)}}
| spouse = Alexander Bennett (died 1977)}}


'''Frances Lee''' (May 5, 1906 – November 5, 2000) was an American [[film actress]] during [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]]'s [[silent film]] era, and well into the sound film era of the 1930s.
'''Frances Lee''' (born '''Merna Phyllis Tibbetts'''; May 5, 1906 – November 5, 2000) was an American [[film actress]] during [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]]'s [[silent film]] era, and well into the sound film era of the 1930s.


==Dancing career==
==Dancing career==
Frances Lee was born as '''Myrna Tibbetts''' (some sources indicate '''Merna Tibbetts''') in [[Eagle Grove, Iowa]]. She initially began pursuing a career as a teacher but began taking [[dance]] lessons, which led to her being spotted by [[Gus Edwards (songwriter)|Gus Edwards]], who owned a [[theater]] in [[New York City]]. Edwards persuaded Lee to perform at his theater, and she joined the cast of ''[[Ziegfeld Follies|The Ziegfeld Follies]]'' in 1923, when she was hired by [[Al Christie]] to perform in his ''Christie Comedies''.
Frances Lee was born Merna Phyllis Tibbetts to William George and Nellie (née Leach) Tibbetts in [[Eagle Grove, Iowa]].<ref name="Merna">{{cite web |title=Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q246-LKPL |website=FamilySearch |accessdate=12 March 2019}}</ref> She initially began pursuing a career as a teacher but began taking [[dance]] lessons, which led to her being spotted by [[Gus Edwards (vaudeville)|Gus Edwards]], who owned a [[theater]] in [[New York City]]. Edwards persuaded Lee to perform at his theater, and she joined the cast of ''[[Ziegfeld Follies|The Ziegfeld Follies]]'' in 1923, when she was hired by [[Al Christie]] to perform in his ''Christie Comedies''. Later that year, cover artist [[Neysa McMein]] chose her as one of the best of six different types of beauties.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gravure Section |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1923-09-02/ed-1/seq-61/ |work=Evening star |date=September 2, 1923 |location=Washington DC}}</ref>


==Silent film career==
==Silent film career==
Moving to Hollywood in the mid-1920s to pursue acting, she received her first film role in 1924, starring in ''Hello and Goodbye'', a comedy short film. That brought her to the attention of the studios and launched her into a very successful and busy silent film career. In 1925 she had roles in three films, and in 1926 her number of films jumped to seven. She was a frequent guest at the home of [[Mary Pickford]] and [[Douglas Fairbanks]] and became friends with other notable Hollywood legends, to include [[Rudolph Valentino]] until his death in 1926. In 1927 she had roles in five films and was selected as one of thirteen girls to be [[WAMPAS Baby Stars]], which that year included silent film star [[Sally Phipps]] and actress [[Barbara Kent]].
Moving to Hollywood in the mid-1920s to pursue acting, Lee received her first film role in 1924, starring in ''Hello and Goodbye'', a comedy short film. That brought her to the attention of the studios and launched her into a very successful and busy silent film career. In 1925, Lee had roles in three films, and in 1926 her number of films jumped to seven. Lee was a frequent guest at the home of [[Mary Pickford]] and [[Douglas Fairbanks]] and became friends with other notable Hollywood legends, to include [[Rudolph Valentino]] until his death in 1926. In 1927 she had roles in five films and was selected as one of thirteen girls to be [[WAMPAS Baby Stars]], which that year included silent film star [[Sally Phipps]] and actress [[Barbara Kent]].


The year 1928 was a big year for her. She starred in nine films, the most memorable of which was ''Sweeties'' with [[Bobby Vernon]]. Her biggest year by far was 1929, when she starred in ten films, including the lead role in ''Stage Struck Susie'' opposite [[Eddie Barry (actor)|Eddie Barry]] and ''Divorce Made Easy'' starring alongside [[Marie Prevost]] and [[Douglas MacLean]]. That year, she married Alexander Bennett, brother to [[Australia]]n silent film actress [[Enid Bennett]]. Their wedding was attended by such famous Hollywood legends as Enid Bennett's husband, film producer [[Fred Niblo]]; actresses [[Gloria Swanson]] and [[Greta Garbo]]; and actors [[Rod La Rocque]] and [[John Gilbert (actor)|John Gilbert]].<ref name="obit">[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20001122/ai_n14354015 Frances Lee obituary]</ref>
The year 1928 was a big year for Lee, as she starred in nine films, the most memorable of which was ''Sweeties'' with [[Bobby Vernon]]. Her biggest year by far was 1929, when she starred in ten films, including the lead role in ''Stage Struck Susie'' opposite [[Eddie Barry (actor)|Eddie Barry]] and ''Divorce Made Easy'' starring alongside [[Marie Prevost]] and [[Douglas MacLean]].<ref name="obit"/> In 1934, she married Alexander Bennett,<ref name="Marriage">{{cite web |title=California, County Marriages, 1850-1952 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8J6-Z3C |website=FamilySearch |accessdate=12 March 2019}}</ref> brother to [[Australia]]n silent film actress [[Enid Bennett]]. Their wedding was attended by such Hollywood legends as Enid Bennett's husband, film producer [[Fred Niblo]]; actresses [[Gloria Swanson]] and [[Greta Garbo]]; and actors [[Rod La Rocque]] and [[John Gilbert (actor)|John Gilbert]].<ref name="obit">[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20001122/ai_n14354015 Frances Lee obituary]</ref>


==Transition to "talking films" and later life==
==Transition to "talking films" and later life==
She made a semisuccessful transition to "[[Sound film|talking films]]" while the majority of silent film stars did not. Her first film in 1930 was ''Down with Husbands'' followed by ''The Stronger Sex'' starring [[Carmel Myers]]. However, her career had slowed considerably from the silent film years, and from 1931 to 1935 she had roles in only seven films, including the female lead in the 1935 romantic comedy ''[[The Gay Deception]]'' opposite [[Francis Lederer]]. She auditioned for the female lead role in ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' and was one of two actresses finally considered for the role, losing it ultimately to [[Fay Wray]].<ref name="obit"/>
Lee made a semisuccessful transition to "[[Sound film|talking films]]", while the majority of silent film stars did not. Her first film in 1930 was ''Down with Husbands'' followed by ''The Stronger Sex'', starring [[Carmel Myers]]. However, Lee's career had slowed considerably from the silent film years, and from 1931 to 1935 she had roles in only seven films. Lee auditioned for the female lead role in ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' and was one of two actresses finally considered for the role, losing it ultimately to [[Fay Wray]].<ref name="obit"/>


==Later years==
==Later years==
She retired from film acting after 1935, living with her husband in [[Beverly Hills, California]]. She began working in [[interior design]] and studied for and received a degree in teaching. She and her husband lived in Brentwood, where she began one of the early Head Start programs at Knox Presbyterian Nursery School. She also taught dance, society behavior, and etiquette at the Elisa Ryan Studio, where she instructed the daughters of President [[Richard M. Nixon]]. In 1972 she and Alex moved to Cardiff-by-the-Sea. She worked as a children's librarian at the Rancho Sante Fe Library until only a few years before her death.
Lee retired from film acting after 1935, living with her husband in [[Beverly Hills, California]]. She began working in [[interior design]] and studied for and received a degree in teaching. Lee and her husband lived in [[Brentwood, Los Angeles|Brentwood]], where she began one of the early Head Start programs at Knox Presbyterian Nursery School. She also taught dance, society behavior, and etiquette at the Elisa Ryan Studio, where she instructed the daughters of President [[Richard M. Nixon]]. In 1972, Lee and Alex moved to [[Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, California|Cardiff-by-the-Sea]]. She worked as a children's librarian at the Rancho Santa Fe Library until only a few years before her death.

⚫
Lee died on November 5, 2000, in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, aged 94.


==Partial filmography==
⚫
She died on November 5, 2000, in [[Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California]], aged 94.
* ''[[Good as Gold (film)|Good as Gold]]'' (1927)
* ''[[The Little Snob]]'' (1928)
* ''[[Nifty Numbers]]'' (1928)
* ''[[Chicken a La King (film)|Chicken a La King]]'' (1928)
* ''[[The Carnation Kid]]'' (1929)
* ''[[Divorce Made Easy]]'' (1929)
* ''[[The Show of Shows]]'' (1929) (uncredited)
* ''[[Phantom Thunderbolt]]'' (1933)
* ''[[Her Splendid Folly]]'' (1933)


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Frances Lee}}
*{{IMDb name|0497271}}
*{{IMDb name|0497271}}
*[http://www.b-westerns.com/ladies88.htm WAMPAS Baby Stars, Frances Lee]
*[http://www.b-westerns.com/ladies88.htm WAMPAS Baby Stars, Frances Lee]
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Lee, Frances
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Tibbetts, Myrna (or Merna)
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Actress and Ziegfeld Girl
| DATE OF BIRTH = May 5, 1906
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Eagle Grove, Iowa]], U.S.
| DATE OF DEATH = November 5, 2000
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California]], U.S.
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Frances}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Frances}}
[[Category:Ziegfeld girls]]
[[Category:Ziegfeld girls]]
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[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Iowa]]
[[Category:Actresses from Iowa]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in California]]
[[Category:1906 births]]
[[Category:1906 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]

Latest revision as of 02:06, 24 May 2024

For the American political scientist, see Frances E. Lee. For the American forensic scientist, see Frances Glessner Lee. For the English aristocrat and philanthropist, see Frances Lee, Countess of Lichfield.

Frances Lee
Postcard (1928–1930)
Born
Merna Phyllis Tibbetts

(1906-05-05)May 5, 1906
Eagle Grove, Iowa, U.S.
DiedNovember 5, 2000(2000-11-05) (aged 94)
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, Ziegfeld Girl
Years active1924–1935
SpouseAlexander Bennett (died 1977)

Frances Lee (born Merna Phyllis Tibbetts; May 5, 1906 – November 5, 2000) was an American film actress during Hollywood's silent film era, and well into the sound film era of the 1930s.

Dancing career

[edit]

Frances Lee was born Merna Phyllis Tibbetts to William George and Nellie (née Leach) Tibbetts in Eagle Grove, Iowa.[1] She initially began pursuing a career as a teacher but began taking dance lessons, which led to her being spotted by Gus Edwards, who owned a theater in New York City. Edwards persuaded Lee to perform at his theater, and she joined the cast of The Ziegfeld Follies in 1923, when she was hired by Al Christie to perform in his Christie Comedies. Later that year, cover artist Neysa McMein chose her as one of the best of six different types of beauties.[2]

Silent film career

[edit]

Moving to Hollywood in the mid-1920s to pursue acting, Lee received her first film role in 1924, starring in Hello and Goodbye, a comedy short film. That brought her to the attention of the studios and launched her into a very successful and busy silent film career. In 1925, Lee had roles in three films, and in 1926 her number of films jumped to seven. Lee was a frequent guest at the home of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks and became friends with other notable Hollywood legends, to include Rudolph Valentino until his death in 1926. In 1927 she had roles in five films and was selected as one of thirteen girls to be WAMPAS Baby Stars, which that year included silent film star Sally Phipps and actress Barbara Kent.

The year 1928 was a big year for Lee, as she starred in nine films, the most memorable of which was Sweeties with Bobby Vernon. Her biggest year by far was 1929, when she starred in ten films, including the lead role in Stage Struck Susie opposite Eddie Barry and Divorce Made Easy starring alongside Marie Prevost and Douglas MacLean.[3] In 1934, she married Alexander Bennett,[4] brother to Australian silent film actress Enid Bennett. Their wedding was attended by such Hollywood legends as Enid Bennett's husband, film producer Fred Niblo; actresses Gloria Swanson and Greta Garbo; and actors Rod La Rocque and John Gilbert.[3]

Transition to "talking films" and later life

[edit]

Lee made a semisuccessful transition to "talking films", while the majority of silent film stars did not. Her first film in 1930 was Down with Husbands followed by The Stronger Sex, starring Carmel Myers. However, Lee's career had slowed considerably from the silent film years, and from 1931 to 1935 she had roles in only seven films. Lee auditioned for the female lead role in King Kong and was one of two actresses finally considered for the role, losing it ultimately to Fay Wray.[3]

Later years

[edit]

Lee retired from film acting after 1935, living with her husband in Beverly Hills, California. She began working in interior design and studied for and received a degree in teaching. Lee and her husband lived in Brentwood, where she began one of the early Head Start programs at Knox Presbyterian Nursery School. She also taught dance, society behavior, and etiquette at the Elisa Ryan Studio, where she instructed the daughters of President Richard M. Nixon. In 1972, Lee and Alex moved to Cardiff-by-the-Sea. She worked as a children's librarian at the Rancho Santa Fe Library until only a few years before her death.

Lee died on November 5, 2000, in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, aged 94.

Partial filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939". FamilySearch. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "Gravure Section". Evening star. Washington DC. September 2, 1923.
  3. ^ a b c Frances Lee obituary
  4. ^ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952". FamilySearch. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Frances Lee.
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