Myrtle Stedman

Myrtle Stedman (March 3, 1883[1] – January 8, 1938) was an American leading lady and later character actress in motion pictures who began in silent films in 1910.

Myrtle Stedman
Stedman in 1917
Born(1883-03-03)March 3, 1883
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 8, 1938(1938-01-08) (aged 54)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1910–1938
Spouse(s)Marshall Stedman (m.1900-div.1920)
ChildrenLincoln Stedman

Biography

Stedman was born in Chicago, Illinois, and educated at a private finishing school there. Miss Stedman performed in light opera and musical comedies there. Her voice was cultivated in France. Her tutor was Marchesi, who was known as one of the finest instructors of voice culture in his country. Myrtle did not enter the field of opera because of her preference for light opera. She starred for a number of seasons in Isle of Spice and The Chocolate Soldier. She performed for a year at the Whitney Theater in Chicago and was a prima donna of the Chicago Grand Opera Company.

She married Marshall Stedman, a drama school conductor, in January 1900. They had one child together, Lincoln Stedman, before divorcing in 1920.[2]

In 1915, Stedman became the first woman elected to the Motion Picture Board of Trade of America.[3]

Film career
Myrtle Stedman, in The Famous Mrs. Fair (1923)

Her first appearances in movies were in Selig studio western and action short films. Among her feature films are Flaming Youth, The Valley of the Moon, The Dangerous Age, and The Famous Mrs. Fair.

In 1936, she was signed by Warner Brothers to play bit and extra roles.

Her last release was Accidents Will Happen, in 1938.

Death

On January 8, 1938, Stedman died of a heart attack at age 52.[4] She was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.

Stedman in The American Beauty (1916)

Partial filmography

References
  1. 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Precinct 11, Gilpin, Colorado, enumeration district no. 177, sheet no. 19
  2. 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Los Angeles Assembly District 75, Los Angeles, California, enumeration district no. 476, sheet 16A. Stedman's marital status is indicated as "divorced".
  3. "Elected member board of trade". Pittsburgh Daily Post. October 17, 1915. p. 29. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Katchmer, George A. A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 358. ISBN 978-0-7864-4693-3. Retrieved September 15, 2020.

Further reading
  • The New York Times, Myrtle Stedman, 50, Film Actress, Dead, January 9, 1938, Page 42.
  • Oakland, California Tribune, Myrtle Stedman in Real Life T&D Star, July 6, 1917, Page 6.
  • The Ogden, Utah Standard, Theatres, Saturday, August 11, 1917, Page 11.
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