Leatrice Joy
Encyclopedia
Leatrice Joy was an American actress most prolific during the early silent film
era.
, she began her acting career in stock theater companies and made her film debut for the little-known small New Orleans based Nola Film Company in 1915. By 1917 she relocated to the relatively young film colony in Hollywood, California and began appearing in comedy shorts opposite Billy West
and Oliver Hardy
. Signed under contract with Samuel Goldwyn
Studios, her first role for the studio was in 1917s The Pride of the Clan opposite Mary Pickford
. By 1920, Joy's career quickly gained momentum and she became a highly popular actress with the film-going public and was given leading lady status opposite such performers as Wallace Beery
, Conrad Nagel
, Nita Naldi and Irene Rich
.
Joy was often cast by directors in the role of the strong-willed and independent woman, and in the liberated atmosphere of the Jazz Age
Roaring Twenties
solidified her public popularity, especially with women film-goers. Her close-cropped hair and somewhat boyish persona (she was several times cast as a woman mistaken for a young man) became fashionable during the era. With her increasing popularity, Joy was sought out by Cecil B. DeMille
and signed to contract to Paramount Pictures
in 1922 and that same year was cast in the successful high-society drama Saturday Night opposite Conrad Nagel. Joy starred in a number of successful releases for Paramount and was heavily promoted as one of DeMille's most prominent protégés.
's last silent film The Angel of Broadway in 1927. A professional dispute ended the partnership with DeMille and Joy in 1928 and Joy was signed with MGM. Joy headlined MGM's second part-talkie effort, The Bellamy Trial in 1928, opposite Betty Bronson
and Margaret Livingston
.
Joy's career began to falter with the advent of talkies. It has been alleged that her career decline rested in part with her heavy southern accent that was considered unfashionable in comparison with the refined east coast diction of the newer actresses. In 1929 Joy became a freelance actress without a contract.
By the early 1930s, Joy was in semi-retirement from the motion picture industry, but she later made several guest appearances in a few modestly successful films. One such appearance was in the 1951 release Love Nest
, which featured a young Marilyn Monroe
.
In the 1960s, Joy made an interesting appearance on the long-running game show To Tell the Truth
.
In 1980, she appeared in the television documentary series Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film
, and spoke about her relationship with John Gilbert
.
in 1922. The union produced a daughter, Leatrice Gilbert Fountain, but they divorced in 1924 on the grounds of Gilbert being an alleged philanderer. Joy married William S. Hook in 1931.
In her later years Leatrice Joy retired to Greenwich, Connecticut
.
She died in 1985 of acute anemia
in Riverdale, Bronx
, New York
and was interred at the Saint Savior Episcopal Churchyard in Old Greenwich
, Fairfield County, Connecticut
.
For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Leatrice Joy was awarded a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame
at 6517 Hollywood Blvd., in Hollywood, California.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
era.
Early life and career
Born as Leatrice Joy Zeidler in New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, she began her acting career in stock theater companies and made her film debut for the little-known small New Orleans based Nola Film Company in 1915. By 1917 she relocated to the relatively young film colony in Hollywood, California and began appearing in comedy shorts opposite Billy West
Billy West (silent film actor)
Billy West was a film actor, producer, and director of the silent film era. He is best known as a Charlie Chaplin impersonator....
and Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy was an American comic actor famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy, the classic double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted nearly 30 years, from 1927 to 1955.-Early life:...
. Signed under contract with Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
Studios, her first role for the studio was in 1917s The Pride of the Clan opposite Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford was a Canadian-born motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
. By 1920, Joy's career quickly gained momentum and she became a highly popular actress with the film-going public and was given leading lady status opposite such performers as Wallace Beery
Wallace Beery
Wallace Fitzgerald Beery was an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in Min and Bill opposite Marie Dressler, as Long John Silver in Treasure Island, as Pancho Villa in Viva Villa!, and his titular role in The Champ, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor...
, Conrad Nagel
Conrad Nagel
Conrad Nagel was an American screen actor and matinee idol of the silent film era and beyond. He was also a well-known television actor and radio performer.-Biography:...
, Nita Naldi and Irene Rich
Irene Rich
Irene Rich was an American actress who worked in both silent films and talkies.-Career:Born Irene Luther in Buffalo, New York, Rich worked for Will Rogers, who used her in eight pictures, including Water Water Everywhere , The Strange Boarder , Jes' Call Me Jim , Boys Will Be Boys and The Ropin'...
.
Joy was often cast by directors in the role of the strong-willed and independent woman, and in the liberated atmosphere of the Jazz Age
Jazz Age
The Jazz Age was a movement that took place during the 1920s or the Roaring Twenties from which jazz music and dance emerged. The movement came about with the introduction of mainstream radio and the end of the war. This era ended in the 1930s with the beginning of The Great Depression but has...
Roaring Twenties
Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s, principally in North America, but also in London, Berlin and Paris for a period of sustained economic prosperity. The phrase was meant to emphasize the period's social, artistic, and cultural dynamism...
solidified her public popularity, especially with women film-goers. Her close-cropped hair and somewhat boyish persona (she was several times cast as a woman mistaken for a young man) became fashionable during the era. With her increasing popularity, Joy was sought out by Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was an American film director and Academy Award-winning film producer in both silent and sound films. He was renowned for the flamboyance and showmanship of his movies...
and signed to contract to Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
in 1922 and that same year was cast in the successful high-society drama Saturday Night opposite Conrad Nagel. Joy starred in a number of successful releases for Paramount and was heavily promoted as one of DeMille's most prominent protégés.
"Talkies" and retirement
In 1925, against the advice of studio executives, Joy parted ways with Paramount and followed DeMille to his new film studio Producers Distributing Corporation and she made a few modestly successful films for the company, including Lois WeberLois Weber
Lois Weber was an American silent film actress, screenwriter, producer, and director, who is considered "the most important female director the American film industry has known", and "one of the most important and important and prolific film directors in the era of silent films". Film historian...
's last silent film The Angel of Broadway in 1927. A professional dispute ended the partnership with DeMille and Joy in 1928 and Joy was signed with MGM. Joy headlined MGM's second part-talkie effort, The Bellamy Trial in 1928, opposite Betty Bronson
Betty Bronson
Betty Bronson was an American television and film actress who began her career during the silent film era. She was a famous actress in silent and sound films.-Film career:...
and Margaret Livingston
Margaret Livingston
Margaret Livingston was an American film actress, most notable for her work during the silent film era....
.
Joy's career began to falter with the advent of talkies. It has been alleged that her career decline rested in part with her heavy southern accent that was considered unfashionable in comparison with the refined east coast diction of the newer actresses. In 1929 Joy became a freelance actress without a contract.
By the early 1930s, Joy was in semi-retirement from the motion picture industry, but she later made several guest appearances in a few modestly successful films. One such appearance was in the 1951 release Love Nest
Love Nest
Love Nest is a 1951 comedy-drama film, directed by Joseph Newman, and starring June Haver, William Lundigan, Frank Fay, Marilyn Monroe, and Jack Paar.The post-World War II comedy features an early supporting role for Monroe...
, which featured a young Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
.
In the 1960s, Joy made an interesting appearance on the long-running game show To Tell the Truth
To Tell the Truth
To Tell the Truth is an American television panel game show created by Bob Stewart and produced by Goodson-Todman Productions that has aired in various forms since 1956 both on networks and in syndication...
.
In 1980, she appeared in the television documentary series Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film
Hollywood (documentary)
Hollywood is a 1980 documentary series produced by Thames Television which explored the establishment and development of the Hollywood studios and its impact on 1920s culture....
, and spoke about her relationship with John Gilbert
John Gilbert (actor)
John Gilbert was an American actor and a major star of the silent film era.Known as "the great lover," he rivaled even Rudolph Valentino as a box office draw...
.
Personal life
Leatrice Joy married John GilbertJohn Gilbert (actor)
John Gilbert was an American actor and a major star of the silent film era.Known as "the great lover," he rivaled even Rudolph Valentino as a box office draw...
in 1922. The union produced a daughter, Leatrice Gilbert Fountain, but they divorced in 1924 on the grounds of Gilbert being an alleged philanderer. Joy married William S. Hook in 1931.
In her later years Leatrice Joy retired to Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
.
She died in 1985 of acute anemia
Anemia
Anemia is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin...
in Riverdale, Bronx
Riverdale, Bronx
Riverdale is an affluent residential neighborhood in the northwest portion of the Bronx in New York City. Riverdale contains the northernmost point in New York City.-History:...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and was interred at the Saint Savior Episcopal Churchyard in Old Greenwich
Old Greenwich
Old Greenwich is a neighborhood/section and census-designated place in Greenwich in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 6,611. It was founded in 1641 and has been a long-time beach community...
, Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
.
For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Leatrice Joy was awarded a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
at 6517 Hollywood Blvd., in Hollywood, California.
Selected filmography
- Love NestLove NestLove Nest is a 1951 comedy-drama film, directed by Joseph Newman, and starring June Haver, William Lundigan, Frank Fay, Marilyn Monroe, and Jack Paar.The post-World War II comedy features an early supporting role for Monroe...
(19511951 in filmThe year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
) - Strong BoyStrong BoyStrong Boy is a comedy film directed by John Ford. It was a silent film with a synchronized music track. The film is now considered to be a lost film. A trailer for the film was discovered in the New Zealand Film Archive in 2010.-Cast:...
(19291929 in film-Events:The days of the silent film are numbered. A mad scramble to provide synchronized sound is on.*January 20 - The movie In Old Arizona is released. The film is the first full-length talking film to be filmed outdoors....
) - The Blue DanubeThe Blue Danube (1928 film)The Blue Danube is a 1928 silent film romance/drama starring Leatrice Joy. This picture was produced by Cecil B. DeMille and directed by Paul Sloane with a distribution through Pathe Exchange.-Cast:*Leatrice Joy - Marguerite*Joseph Schildkraut - Ludwig...
(19281928 in film-Events:Although some movies released in 1928 had sound, most were still silent.* July 28 - Lights of New York is released by Warner Brothers. It is the first "100% Talkie" feature film, in that dialog is spoken throughout the film...
) - TriumphTriumph (1924 film)Triumph is a 1924 silent drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille.-Cast:* Leatrice Joy - Ann Land* Rod La Rocque - King Garnet* Victor Varconi - William Silver* Charles Ogle - James Martin* Theodore Kosloff - Varinoff* Robert Edeson - Smauel Overton...
(19241924 in film-Events:* Entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer Pictures to create Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
) - The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments (1923 film)The Ten Commandments is a 1923 American epic silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, starring Theodore Roberts as Moses, Charles de Rochefort as Pharaoh Ramesses, Estelle Taylor as Miriam the sister of Moses, and James Neill as Aaron, the brother of Moses...
(19231923 in film-Events:*April 15 - Lee De Forest demonstrates the Phonofilm sound-on-film system at the Rivoli Theater in New York with a series of short musical films featuring vaudeville performers.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1923:U.S.A...
) - HollywoodHollywood (1923 film)Hollywood was a silent comedy film directed by James Cruze, co-written by Frank Condon and Thomas J. Geraghty, and released by Paramount Pictures.The film has become famous as having featured cameos of more than thirty famous Hollywood stars...
(1923) cameo - ManslaughterManslaughter (1922 film)Manslaughter is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Thomas Meighan, Leatrice Joy and Lois Wilson.-Plot summary:...
(19221922 in film-Events:* June 11 - United States première of Robert J. Flaherty's Nanook of the North, the first commercially successful feature length documentary film....
) - Saturday Night (1922)
- The Ace of HeartsThe Ace of Hearts (1921 film)The Ace of Hearts is a 1921 film produced and directed by Wallace Worsley. The screenplay by Ruth Wightman is based on the pulp novel The Purple Mask by Gouverneur Morris. It stars Leatrice Joy, John Bowers and Lon Chaney.-Plot:...
(1921) - The Handy ManThe Handy Man (1918 film)The Handy Man is a 1918 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Billy West* Leatrice Joy* Oliver Hardy - * Ethel Marie Burton* Leo White* Joe Bordeaux...
(19181918 in filmThe year 1918 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Following litigation for anti-trust activities, the US Supreme Court orders the Motion Picture Patents Company to disband....
) - The Messenger (1918)
- The ScholarThe Scholar (film)The Scholar is a 1918 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Billy West - A Student* Oliver Hardy - * Ethel Marie Burton - The Teacher * Leatrice Joy* Leo White* Joe Bordeaux...
(1918) - The OrderlyThe OrderlyThe Orderly is a 1918 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Billy West - Sanitarium orderly* Oliver Hardy - * Leatrice Joy* Ethel Marie Burton* Leo White* Joe Bordeaux* Bud Ross...
(1918) - His Day OutHis Day OutHis Day Out is a 1918 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Billy West - Billy* Leatrice Joy - Joy* Oliver Hardy - Oliver* Leo White* Joe Bordeaux* Ethel Marie Burton* Bud Ross - The Father * Slim Cole...
(1918) - The StrangerThe Stranger (1918 film)The Stranger is a 1918 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Billy West - The Prospector* Leatrice Joy - Susie* Bud Ross - Susie's Father * Oliver Hardy - Oliver, the saloonkeeper* Leo White - The Greaser...
(1918) - The SlaveThe Slave (film)-Cast:* Billy West - Billy, the slave* Oliver Hardy - The Sultan of Bacteria* Leo White - The Vizier* Bud Ross - Haratius Crabbe, the collector * Leatrice Joy - Susie, his daughter* Gladys Varden - The Sultan's favorite* Ethel Cassity...
(19171917 in filmThe year 1917 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Foundation of Universum Film AG , as a propaganda film company, in Berlin.*Technicolor System 1, a two-color process, is introduced...
) - The Candy KidThe Candy KidThe Candy Kid is a 1917 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Billy West* Ethel Cassity* Oliver Hardy * Leo White* Bud Ross* Leatrice Joy* Gladys Varden* Ellen Burford* Martha Dean* Ethelyn Gibson* Naomi Burstein...
(1917) - The Other ManThe Other Man (1916 film)The Other Man is a 1916 short comedy film starring Fatty Arbuckle. The film was shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey.-Cast:* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle* Joe Bordeaux* Minta Durfee* Horace Haine* William Jefferson* Leatrice Joy* Lillian Shaffner* Al St. John...
(19161916 in filmThe year 1916 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 17 - release of A Daughter of the Gods, the first US production with a million dollar budget, with the first nude scene by a major star....
)
External links
- Leatrice Joy at Silents Are Golden
- Leatrice Joy at Silent Era People
- Leatrice Joy at Silent Ladies & Gents
- Leatrice Joy at The International Silent Movie
- Leatrice Joy at Virtual History