Phyllis Gordon

Phyllis Gordon (October 17, 1889 – October 16, 1964) was an American actress. She appeared in 50 silent era and sound films between 1911 and 1941. She was born in Suffolk, Virginia, and died one day before her 75th birthday in Sonoma, California.[1]

Phyllis Gordon
c. 1912
Born(1889-10-17)October 17, 1889
Suffolk, Virginia, USA
DiedOctober 16, 1964(1964-10-16) (aged 74)
Sonoma, California, USA
OccupationActress
Years active1911–1941
Spouse(s)Eugene Pallette (divorce)

Gordon was once notably photographed walking a pet cheetah on a London shopping street.[2] She also shocked people at a restaurant in Davenport, Iowa, when they realized that she had a marmoset in her handbag.[3]

Early years

From the time she was 5 until she was 13, Gordon lived in a convent. "Then," she said, "the money gave out, and I had to go to work."[4] When she was 13, Gordon helped to herd cattle in Oklahoma. In a 1911 interview, she said: "I rode the range astride with the cowboys, curried horses, washed and ironed and did manual labor for a living."[4]

Gordon graduated from Lafayette College with a bachelors degree in music.[5]

Vaudeville

Gordon appeared in vaudeville productions as a comedian and a singer.[6]

Stage

A career-boosting break occurred for Gordon in 1908 when she was a chorus girl in A Knight for a Day. As the understudy for Sallie Fisher, Gordon went on stage when Fisher missed a performance. The next day's issue of The New York Times reported "Miss Gordon's performance was so satisfactory that she is to be engaged for an important role in a new Summer production to be offered at one of Mr. Whitney's theatres in Chicago."[7] Gordon's Broadway credits include Up and Down Broadway (1910).[8]

A review of the production of Dick Whittington, staged in 1910, noted "Phyllis Gordon had the best singing voice, although Louise Dresser was the featured member of the cast.[9]

Selected filmography

References
  1. California Death Index, Name: Phyllis L. Gordon, Birth Date: October 17, 1889, Mother's Maiden Name: Smith, Sex: Female, Death Place: Sonoma, Death Date: October 16, 1964, SSN: 459-07-2133, Age: 74 yrs.
  2. Harriet Worsley (2004). Decades of Fashion. Könemann.
  3. "Actress Brings Monkey to Table". Iowa, Davenport. The Davenport Democrat and Leader. November 6, 1924. p. 14. Retrieved February 23, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ""If You Haven't a Square Jaw Stay Off the Stage," Is the Advice of Actress Who Hereded Cattle When 13". Washington, Tacoma. The Tacoma Times. September 1, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved February 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Gossip of Stage Here and Abroad". California, San Francisco. San Francisco Chronicle. March 26, 1911. p. 23. Retrieved February 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Bennett's Next Week". Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The Ottawa Journal. December 11, 1909. p. 17. Retrieved February 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Chorus Girl Understudy Makes a Hit". New York, New York City. The New York Times. March 11, 1908. p. 7. Retrieved February 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Phyllis Gordon". Playbill Vault. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  9. "Offerings in Pittsburgh During the Past Week". Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Daily Post. April 10, 1910. p. 34. Retrieved February 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.

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