Virginia Pearson
Encyclopedia
Virginia Belle Pearson was an American
stage and film actress. She made fifty-one films in a career which extended from 1910 until 1932.
, Pearson worked for a brief time as an assistant in the public library in Louisville, Kentucky
after completing school. Pearson trained in the tradition of the stars of the American stage, and played in stock productions in Washington, D.C.
and New York City
. In New York she played the heroine in Hypocrisy, a story which laid bare "the shame of society." She was promoted by William Fox
of Fox Film Corporation for the same kind of strong vamp
parts as those played by Theda Bara
. Among her movies is Blazing Love (1916), Wildness of Youth
(1922), The Vital Question (1916), Sister Against Sister (1917), The Red Kimona
(1925) and The Phantom of the Opera
(1925).
In 1916 Pearson and her husband, movie actor Sheldon Lewis
, severed their ties with the Virginia Pearson Producing Company. The couple affiliated themselves with the Independent Productions Company, capitalized at $1,000,000. In 1924 the couple were forced to declare bankruptcy. In 1928, Pearson was legally divorced from Lewis. At the time, it was considered bad box office for screen actresses to be married. However the two remained constant companions., and resided for many years at the old Hollywood Hotel
. Later they lived at the Motion Picture Country Home
.
in Hollywood
on June 6, 1958 nearly a month to the day after Sheldon Lewis. She was 72. Funeral services were held at the Pierce Brothers Hollywood Chapel. She was buried with an unmarked grave in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stage and film actress. She made fifty-one films in a career which extended from 1910 until 1932.
Career
Born in Anchorage, KentuckyAnchorage, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,264 people, 729 households, and 643 families residing in the city. The population density was 744.0 people per square mile . There were 750 housing units at an average density of 246.5 per square mile...
, Pearson worked for a brief time as an assistant in the public library in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
after completing school. Pearson trained in the tradition of the stars of the American stage, and played in stock productions in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and 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...
. In New York she played the heroine in Hypocrisy, a story which laid bare "the shame of society." She was promoted by William Fox
William Fox (producer)
William Fox born Fried Vilmos was a pioneering Hungarian American motion picture executive who founded the Fox Film Corporation in 1915 and the Fox West Coast Theatres chain in the 1920s...
of Fox Film Corporation for the same kind of strong vamp
Femme fatale
A femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art...
parts as those played by Theda Bara
Theda Bara
Theda Bara , born Theodosia Burr Goodman, was an American silent film actress – one of the most popular of her era, and one of cinema's earliest sex symbols. Her femme fatale roles earned her the nickname "The Vamp" . The term "vamp" soon became a popular slang term for a sexually predatory woman...
. Among her movies is Blazing Love (1916), Wildness of Youth
Wildness of Youth
Wildness of Youth is a 1922 silent film directed by Ivan Abramson, starring Virginia Pearson, Harry T. Morey and Mary Anderson.-Plot:Spoiled son Andrew Kane competes with James Surbrun for the affections of wild child Julie Grayton . Kane is convicted of murdering Surbrun, but later exonerated., p...
(1922), The Vital Question (1916), Sister Against Sister (1917), The Red Kimona
The Red Kimona
The Red Kimona is a 1925 silent film drama about prostitution produced by Dorothy Davenport and starring Priscilla Bonner. The film is notable today for being one of the few independent productions produced and written by women. The film is based on a real case of prostitution that took place in...
(1925) and The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)
The Phantom of the Opera is a 1925 American silent horror film adaptation of the Gaston Leroux novel of the same title directed by Rupert Julian. The film featured Lon Chaney in the title role as the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to force...
(1925).
In 1916 Pearson and her husband, movie actor Sheldon Lewis
Sheldon Lewis
Sheldon Lewis was an American actor of the silent era best known for his antagonistic roles. He appeared in 93 films between 1914 and 1936.He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died in San Gabriel, California...
, severed their ties with the Virginia Pearson Producing Company. The couple affiliated themselves with the Independent Productions Company, capitalized at $1,000,000. In 1924 the couple were forced to declare bankruptcy. In 1928, Pearson was legally divorced from Lewis. At the time, it was considered bad box office for screen actresses to be married. However the two remained constant companions., and resided for many years at the old Hollywood Hotel
Hollywood Hotel
The Hollywood Hotel was a famous hostelry and landmark located on the north side of Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orchid Avenues in Hollywood, California.-History:The first section of the hotel was built in 1902 by H.J...
. Later they lived at the Motion Picture Country Home
Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital
The Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital is a retirement community, with individual cottages, and a fully licensed, acute-care hospital, located at 23388 Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills, California...
.
Death
Virginia Pearson died of uremic poisoningAcute renal failure
Acute kidney injury , previously called acute renal failure , is a rapid loss of kidney function. Its causes are numerous and include low blood volume from any cause, exposure to substances harmful to the kidney, and obstruction of the urinary tract...
in Hollywood
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
on June 6, 1958 nearly a month to the day after Sheldon Lewis. She was 72. Funeral services were held at the Pierce Brothers Hollywood Chapel. She was buried with an unmarked grave in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 10621 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood, California.The cemetery has a special section called the Portal of the Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation that is the final resting place for a number of aviation pioneers — barnstormers, daredevils and...
.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | On Her Doorsteps | ||
| 1914 | The Stain The Stain (film) The Stain is a 1914 silent drama film directed by Frank Powell and featuring Theda Bara in her onscreen debut. A print of the film was discovered in Australia in the 1990s.-Cast:* Edward José - Stevens * Thurlow Bergen - The young lawyer... |
Stevens' daughter | |
| 1915 | The Turn of the Road | Marcia Wilbur | |
| 1916 | Thou Art the Man | Emily Raynor | |
| 1917 | Thou Shalt Not Steal | Mary Bruce | |
| 1918 | The Firebrand | Princess Natalya | |
| 1919 | The Bishop's Emeralds | Hester, Lady Cardew | |
| 1922 | Wildness of Youth Wildness of Youth Wildness of Youth is a 1922 silent film directed by Ivan Abramson, starring Virginia Pearson, Harry T. Morey and Mary Anderson.-Plot:Spoiled son Andrew Kane competes with James Surbrun for the affections of wild child Julie Grayton . Kane is convicted of murdering Surbrun, but later exonerated., p... |
Louise Wesley | |
| 1923 | A Prince of a King | Queen Claudia | |
| 1925 | Wizard of Oz Wizard of Oz (1925 film) Wizard of Oz is a 1925 silent film directed by Larry Semon, who also appears in a lead role. The first major film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this film features a young Oliver Hardy as the "Tin Woodsman."-Plot:... |
Lady Vishuss | |
| 1925 | The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film) The Phantom of the Opera is a 1925 American silent horror film adaptation of the Gaston Leroux novel of the same title directed by Rupert Julian. The film featured Lon Chaney in the title role as the deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House, causing murder and mayhem in an attempt to force... |
Virginia Pearson as Carlotta/Carlotta's mother (1930 redux) | |
| 1926 | Atta Boy | Madame Carlton | |
| 1927 | Driven from Home | ||
| 1928 | The Big City The Big City (1928 film) The Big City is a 1928 crime film directed by Tod Browning. It is now a lost film. The last known print of the film had been sent to Australia in the late 1950s... |
Tennessee | |
| 1929 | Smilin' Guns | Mrs. van Smythe | |
| 1931 | The Primrose Path | ||
| 1932 | Back Street Back Street (1932 film) Back Street is a 1932 film made by Universal Pictures, directed by John M. Stahl, and produced by Carl Laemmle Jr.. The screenplay was written by Gladys Lehman and based on the novel by Fannie Hurst. The film stars Irene Dunne and John Boles.-Plot:... |
Bit part | Uncredited |