Marie Dressler (born Leila Marie Koerber, November 9, 1868 â€" July
28, 1934) was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress, comedian,
and early silent film and Depression-era film star. In 1914, she was
in the first full-length film comedy. She won the Academy Award for
Best Actress in 1931.Leaving home at the age of 14, Dressler built a
career on stage in traveling theatre troupes, where she learned to
appreciate her talent in making people laugh. In 1892, she started a
career on Broadway that lasted into the 1920s, performing comedic
roles that allowed her to improvise to get laughs. From one of her
successful Broadway roles, she played the titular role in the first
full-length screen comedy, Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914), opposite
Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand. She made several shorts, but mostly
worked in New York City on stage. During World War I, along with other
celebrities, she helped sell Liberty bonds. In 1919, she helped
organize the first union for stage chorus players.Her career declined
in the 1920s, and Dressler was reduced to living on her savings while
sharing an apartment with a friend. In 1927, she returned to films at
the age of 59 and experienced a remarkable string of successes. For
her performance in the comedy film Min and Bill (1930), Dressler won
the Academy Award for Best Actress. She died of cancer in 1934.
28, 1934) was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress, comedian,
and early silent film and Depression-era film star. In 1914, she was
in the first full-length film comedy. She won the Academy Award for
Best Actress in 1931.Leaving home at the age of 14, Dressler built a
career on stage in traveling theatre troupes, where she learned to
appreciate her talent in making people laugh. In 1892, she started a
career on Broadway that lasted into the 1920s, performing comedic
roles that allowed her to improvise to get laughs. From one of her
successful Broadway roles, she played the titular role in the first
full-length screen comedy, Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914), opposite
Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand. She made several shorts, but mostly
worked in New York City on stage. During World War I, along with other
celebrities, she helped sell Liberty bonds. In 1919, she helped
organize the first union for stage chorus players.Her career declined
in the 1920s, and Dressler was reduced to living on her savings while
sharing an apartment with a friend. In 1927, she returned to films at
the age of 59 and experienced a remarkable string of successes. For
her performance in the comedy film Min and Bill (1930), Dressler won
the Academy Award for Best Actress. She died of cancer in 1934.
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