Eugenie Besserer (December 25, 1868 â€" May 28, 1934) was an American
actress who starred in silent films and features of the early sound
motion-picture era, beginning in 1910. Her most prominent role is that
of the title character's mother in the first talkie film, The Jazz
Singer.Born in Watertown, New York, to French Canadian parents, she
was taken by her parents to Ottawa, Ontario, as a girl, and spent her
childhood there. She was left an orphan and escaped from her guardians
at the age of 12. She came to New York City and arrived at Grand
Central Station with only 25 cents (Canadian currency, equivalent to
US$0.34 at the time) in her pocket. She managed to locate a former
governess, with the assistance of a street car conductor, who helped
Eugenie locate an uncle, with whom she lived. She continued her
education there.Besserer's initial theatrical experience came with
McKee Rankin when the producer had Nance O'Neill as a star. Soon, she
appeared with stage luminaries such as Frank Keenan and Wilton
Lackaye. As a youth, she played a juvenile part with Maurice
Barrymore. She performed a season at Pike's Opera House in Portland,
Oregon. Another season, Eugenie acted in a drama opposite Henry
Kolker. The illness of her sister brought her to the West Coast, and
she came to Hollywood in 1910 when films were just starting to be
made.
actress who starred in silent films and features of the early sound
motion-picture era, beginning in 1910. Her most prominent role is that
of the title character's mother in the first talkie film, The Jazz
Singer.Born in Watertown, New York, to French Canadian parents, she
was taken by her parents to Ottawa, Ontario, as a girl, and spent her
childhood there. She was left an orphan and escaped from her guardians
at the age of 12. She came to New York City and arrived at Grand
Central Station with only 25 cents (Canadian currency, equivalent to
US$0.34 at the time) in her pocket. She managed to locate a former
governess, with the assistance of a street car conductor, who helped
Eugenie locate an uncle, with whom she lived. She continued her
education there.Besserer's initial theatrical experience came with
McKee Rankin when the producer had Nance O'Neill as a star. Soon, she
appeared with stage luminaries such as Frank Keenan and Wilton
Lackaye. As a youth, she played a juvenile part with Maurice
Barrymore. She performed a season at Pike's Opera House in Portland,
Oregon. Another season, Eugenie acted in a drama opposite Henry
Kolker. The illness of her sister brought her to the West Coast, and
she came to Hollywood in 1910 when films were just starting to be
made.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.