Mary Philbin
Biography
Mary Philbin was an American actress of the silent film era who got her start by winning a Chicago beauty contest run by Universal Pictures. She moved to California, where Erich von Stroheim signed her to a Universal contract, and her first screen appearance came in 1921. She was among the first WAMPAS Baby Stars, a promotional campaign, and took high-profile roles through the 1920s, among them Edward Sloman's Surrender with Ivan Mosjoukine and D. W. Griffith's Drums of Love. Her most celebrated role was Christine Daaé in the horror film The Phantom of the Opera (1925), playing opposite Lon Chaney, and she appeared as Dea in The Man Who Laughs (1928) with Conrad Veidt. She made a few films in the early sound era and dubbed her own voice for the sound reissue of The Phantom of the Opera, then retired from the screen in 1930. She died in 1993.
90years old at death
- Born Chicago
- Died Huntington Beach
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
- Mary Loretta Philbin (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 6 years1922 to 1928
Every film, newest first
- 1928The Man Who LaughsIMDb rating 7.6
- 1925The Phantom of the OperaIMDb rating 7.5
- 1922Foolish WivesIMDb rating 6.9
Genres
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Big break
After winning a Chicago beauty contest run by Universal Pictures, Philbin started acting. Once she was in California, Erich von Stroheim gave her a Universal contract and called her a "Universal Super Jewel."
Languages
During the early talkie era, Philbin took a few parts. Most notably, when The Phantom of the Opera was re-released with sound, she dubbed her own voice.
Mary Philbin movies on Netflix
Worked with
Mary Philbin shares two films with Cesare Gravina, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Cesare Gravina's page
Harrison Ford's page
Chester Conklin's page
Brandon Hurst's page
Nigel De Brulier's page
Ruth Clifford's page
Rupert JulianDirector, 1 film, 1925
All films by Rupert Julian
Paul LeniDirector, 1 film, 1928
All films by Paul Leni
All films by Erich von Stroheim
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.