Athole Shearer
Encyclopedia
Athole Shearer was an actress most noted as the sister of motion picture star Norma Shearer
and film sound engineer Douglas Shearer
.
Shearer was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
. As a teenager, her divorced mother moved the two girls to New York City
and then to Hollywood and in 1920 she obtained her first minor film role. In 1923, Athole Shearer married John Ward with whom she would have a son. Divorced, in 1928 she married again, this time to noted film director Howard Hawks
(1896–1977). They divorced twelve years later in 1940 at a turbulent time for Hawks who had been fired by studio owner Howard Hughes
as the director of the film The Outlaw
.
Athole Shearer suffered from bipolar disorder
that went unrecognized for years resulting in her suffering numerous problems. Her film career was limited to a few bit part
s because of her personal difficulties. She spent many years in mental institutions until her illness was properly diagnosed.
Athole Shearer died in 1985 in Los Angeles
, California
, and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California
.
Norma Shearer
Edith Norma Shearer was a Canadian-American actress. Shearer was one of the most popular actresses in North America from the mid-1920s through the 1930s...
and film sound engineer Douglas Shearer
Douglas Shearer
Douglas G. Shearer was a Canadian-born pioneer sound designer and recording director who played a key role in the advancement of sound technology for motion pictures.-Early life and career:...
.
Shearer was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. As a teenager, her divorced mother moved the two girls to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and then to Hollywood and in 1920 she obtained her first minor film role. In 1923, Athole Shearer married John Ward with whom she would have a son. Divorced, in 1928 she married again, this time to noted film director Howard Hawks
Howard Hawks
Howard Winchester Hawks was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era...
(1896–1977). They divorced twelve years later in 1940 at a turbulent time for Hawks who had been fired by studio owner Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
as the director of the film The Outlaw
The Outlaw
The Outlaw is a 1943 American Western film, directed by Howard Hughes and starring Jane Russell. The supporting cast includes Jack Buetel, Thomas Mitchell, and Walter Huston. Hughes also produced the film, while Howard Hawks served as an uncredited co-director...
.
Athole Shearer suffered from bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
that went unrecognized for years resulting in her suffering numerous problems. Her film career was limited to a few bit part
Bit part
A bit part is a supporting acting role with at least one line of dialogue . In British television, bit parts are referred to as under sixes...
s because of her personal difficulties. She spent many years in mental institutions until her illness was properly diagnosed.
Athole Shearer died in 1985 in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California
Glendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
.
Filmography
- The Restless SexThe Restless SexThe Restless Sex is a 1920 film starring Marion Davies, and Ralph Kellard. It was directed by Leon D'Usseau and Robert Z. Leonard and written by Frances Marion. The film was based upon a novel by Robert W. Chambers. An extant film at the Library of Congress.-Plot summary:Mike Jill is a restless and...
(1920) - Way Down EastWay Down EastWay Down East is a silent film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. It is the best known of four film adaptations of the melodramatic 19th century play Way Down East by Lottie Blair Parker...
(1920) - The FlapperThe FlapperThe Flapper is a 1920 American silent comedy film starring Olive Thomas. It was the first movie in the United States to portray the "flapper" lifestyle which would soon become a 1920's fad.-Plot:...
(1920)
See also
- Other Canadian pioneers in early HollywoodCanadian pioneers in early HollywoodMotion pictures have been a part of the culture of Canada since the beginning.-History:Around 1910, the East Coast filmmakers began to take advantage of California winters and after Nestor Studios, run by Canadian Al Christie, built the first permanent movie studio in Hollywood a number of the...