Helen Louise Gardner (September 2, 1884 â€" November 20, 1968) was an
American stage and film actress, screenwriter, producer, editor and
costume designer.Gardner was born in Binghamton, New York. An alumna
of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Gardner began her acting
career as a stage actress. She became a Vitagraph Studios player in
1910 and earned critical acclaim for portraying Becky Sharp in the
film version of the novel Vanity Fair. In 1912, she became the first
film actor, male or female, to form her own production company, The
Helen Gardner Picture Players. The company was established in Tappan,
New York with capital provided by Gardener’s mother. Gardner hired
her lover Charles L. Gaskill as a director and scenarist. Known for
her portrayal of strong female characters, Gardner’s first
production was Cleopatra (1912), one of the first American full-length
films. The film was re-edited and re-released after Fox released the
1917 adaptation starring Theda Bara. Gardner is considered the
screen's first vamp, predating Theda Bara, Valeska Suratt and Louise
Glaum. Gardner produced eleven feature films before closing her studio
in 1914.In 1915, she returned to Vitagraph briefly before signing with
Universal. By this time, her popularity began to wane and she retired
from acting in 1924.
American stage and film actress, screenwriter, producer, editor and
costume designer.Gardner was born in Binghamton, New York. An alumna
of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Gardner began her acting
career as a stage actress. She became a Vitagraph Studios player in
1910 and earned critical acclaim for portraying Becky Sharp in the
film version of the novel Vanity Fair. In 1912, she became the first
film actor, male or female, to form her own production company, The
Helen Gardner Picture Players. The company was established in Tappan,
New York with capital provided by Gardener’s mother. Gardner hired
her lover Charles L. Gaskill as a director and scenarist. Known for
her portrayal of strong female characters, Gardner’s first
production was Cleopatra (1912), one of the first American full-length
films. The film was re-edited and re-released after Fox released the
1917 adaptation starring Theda Bara. Gardner is considered the
screen's first vamp, predating Theda Bara, Valeska Suratt and Louise
Glaum. Gardner produced eleven feature films before closing her studio
in 1914.In 1915, she returned to Vitagraph briefly before signing with
Universal. By this time, her popularity began to wane and she retired
from acting in 1924.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.