Betty Compson

A stunningly beautiful blond superstar of the silent era, Betty Compson was billed as the "Vagabond Violinist." She started her career on vaudeville at age 15. Three years later she landed a continuing role in movies as the heroine of dozens of Al Christie's comedy shorts, work she continued for three years. Her rise to stardom as a dramatic actress began with her role opposite Lon Chaney in The Miracle Man (1919). She went on to be one of Hollywood's top stars in the '20s, earning as much as $5000/week. Her career was an up-and-down affair, and several times she was labelled "washed up" only to bounce back again. She was nominated for a "Best Actress" Oscar for her work in The Barker (1928). She made the transition into the sound era, but after 1941 made only a few additional films, retiring from the screen after a bit part in the 1948 "B"-movie Here Comes Trouble. She later became a successful California businesswoman.