Norma Marie Talmadge (May 2, 1894 â€" December 24, 1957) was an
American actress and film producer of the silent era. A major
box-office draw for more than a decade, her career reached a peak in
the early 1920s, when she ranked among the most popular idols of the
American screen.A specialist in melodrama, her most famous film was
Smilin’ Through (1922), but she also scored artistic triumphs teamed
with director Frank Borzage in Secrets (1924) and The Lady (1925). Her
younger sister Constance Talmadge was also a movie star. Talmadge
married millionaire film producer Joseph M. Schenck and they
successfully created their own production company. After reaching fame
in the film studios on the East Coast, she moved to Hollywood in
1922.Talmadge was one of the most elegant and glamorous film stars of
the Roaring '20s. However, by the end of the silent film era, her
popularity with audiences had waned. After her two talkies proved
disappointing at the box office, she retired a very wealthy
woman.According to her birth certificate, Talmadge was born on May 2,
1894, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Although it has been widely reported
she was born in Niagara Falls, New York, after achieving stardom, she
admitted that she and her mother provided the more scenic setting of
Niagara Falls to fan magazines to be more romantic.[page needed]
Talmadge was the eldest daughter of Fred Talmadge, an unemployed
chronic alcoholic, and Margaret "Peg" Talmadge, a witty and
indomitable woman. She had two younger sisters, Natalie and Constance,
both of whom also became actresses.
American actress and film producer of the silent era. A major
box-office draw for more than a decade, her career reached a peak in
the early 1920s, when she ranked among the most popular idols of the
American screen.A specialist in melodrama, her most famous film was
Smilin’ Through (1922), but she also scored artistic triumphs teamed
with director Frank Borzage in Secrets (1924) and The Lady (1925). Her
younger sister Constance Talmadge was also a movie star. Talmadge
married millionaire film producer Joseph M. Schenck and they
successfully created their own production company. After reaching fame
in the film studios on the East Coast, she moved to Hollywood in
1922.Talmadge was one of the most elegant and glamorous film stars of
the Roaring '20s. However, by the end of the silent film era, her
popularity with audiences had waned. After her two talkies proved
disappointing at the box office, she retired a very wealthy
woman.According to her birth certificate, Talmadge was born on May 2,
1894, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Although it has been widely reported
she was born in Niagara Falls, New York, after achieving stardom, she
admitted that she and her mother provided the more scenic setting of
Niagara Falls to fan magazines to be more romantic.[page needed]
Talmadge was the eldest daughter of Fred Talmadge, an unemployed
chronic alcoholic, and Margaret "Peg" Talmadge, a witty and
indomitable woman. She had two younger sisters, Natalie and Constance,
both of whom also became actresses.
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