Kay Laurell (born Ruth Leslie; June , â€" January , ) was an American
stage and silent film actress and model.Laurell began her career as an
artists' model. After catching the eye of Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., she
was cast in the Ziegfeld Follies where she debuted in . A popular
performer who was noted for her beauty, she was called "one of the
most beautiful women on the stage". In , Laurell left the Follies to
embark on an acting career. She went on to appear in stage productions
on Broadway and in vaudeville, and made three silent films. In the s,
Laurell moved to Europe where she continued her stage career. She died
during childbirth at the age of in London.Laurell was born in (some
sources state ) in Erie, Pennsylvania. She left Erie at the age of to
pursue a career in show business in New York City. She initially found
work as telephone operator before she was hired as an artists' model.
During her stint as a model, she posed for artists and illustrators
including Howard Chandler Christy and William Glackens. It was during
this time that Ruth Leslie changed her name to Kay Laurell.In ,
Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. saw Laurell while she was appearing in a tableau
staged at the annual Illustrators' Ball. Ziegfeld was impressed by
Laurell's appearance and offered her a spot in the Ziegfeld Follies.
stage and silent film actress and model.Laurell began her career as an
artists' model. After catching the eye of Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., she
was cast in the Ziegfeld Follies where she debuted in . A popular
performer who was noted for her beauty, she was called "one of the
most beautiful women on the stage". In , Laurell left the Follies to
embark on an acting career. She went on to appear in stage productions
on Broadway and in vaudeville, and made three silent films. In the s,
Laurell moved to Europe where she continued her stage career. She died
during childbirth at the age of in London.Laurell was born in (some
sources state ) in Erie, Pennsylvania. She left Erie at the age of to
pursue a career in show business in New York City. She initially found
work as telephone operator before she was hired as an artists' model.
During her stint as a model, she posed for artists and illustrators
including Howard Chandler Christy and William Glackens. It was during
this time that Ruth Leslie changed her name to Kay Laurell.In ,
Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. saw Laurell while she was appearing in a tableau
staged at the annual Illustrators' Ball. Ziegfeld was impressed by
Laurell's appearance and offered her a spot in the Ziegfeld Follies.
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