Zasu Pitts
Biography
ZaSu Pitts was an American actress whose film career ran almost five decades, from silent dramas and comedies into sound films, mostly in comic parts. Born in Parsons, Kansas, she grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and acted in school theatricals. She made her stage debut in 1914 and 1915, then went to Los Angeles in 1916; screenwriter Frances Marion discovered her and cast her in A Little Princess (1917). Universal one-reel comedies made her popular, and she won her first feature lead in King Vidor's Better Times (1919). She specialized in comedy roles, known for a fretful, flustered spinster type, often with Thelma Todd, and took a tragic part in Erich von Stroheim's Greed (1924). She later worked in radio, reached Broadway in Ramshackle Inn in 1944, and played Elvira Nugent on The Gale Storm Show (1956). Her last role was in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). In 1960, she received a Walk of Fame star.
69years old at death
- Born Parsons
- Died Hollywood
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
Movie Career
- Films
- 19
- Career span
- 39 years1924 to 1963
First and latest
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Big break
Pitts was cast against type as a tragic figure in Erich von Stroheim's epic Greed, a surprise choice that initially shocked Hollywood but showed she could draw tears as well as laughs.
Beyond film
Pitts made her Broadway debut in 1944 in the mystery Ramshackle Inn, a play written expressly for her that did well and that she later took on the road.
First role
Screenwriter Frances Marion discovered Pitts and gave her the part of an orphan servant in the silent film A Little Princess, which starred Mary Pickford.
Zasu Pitts movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Erich von Stroheim directed two of these films, Ernst Lubitsch two. Two actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Bess Flowers's page
Emma Dunn's page
Humphrey Bogart's page
Mary Gordon's page
Joan Blondell's page
George Davis's page
All films by Erich von Stroheim
All films by Ernst Lubitsch
Also two films together18 more actors
- Sidney BraceyMonte Carlo (1930) and The Wedding March (1928)
- Billie BurkeBreakfast in Hollywood (1946) and Eternally Yours (1939)
- Arthur AylesworthThe Plot Thickens (1936) and Dames (1934)
- Lucien LittlefieldRuggles of Red Gap (1935) and Broken Lullaby (1932)
- Eve ArdenNo, No, Nanette (1940) and Eternally Yours (1939)
- Dick ElliottBreakfast in Hollywood (1946) and So's Your Aunt Emma! (1942)
- Roland YoungNo, No, Nanette (1940) and Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
- Hugh HerbertEternally Yours (1939) and Dames (1934)
- Raymond WalburnBreakfast in Hollywood (1946) and Eternally Yours (1939)
- Albert ContiMonte Carlo (1930) and The Wedding March (1928)
- James DonlanThe Plot Thickens (1936) and Is My Face Red? (1932)
- Dale FullerThe Wedding March (1928) and Greed (1924)
- Cesare GravinaThe Wedding March (1928) and Greed (1924)
- Alyce ArdellThe Plot Thickens (1936) and Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
- James ToddThis Could Be the Night (1957) and Francis (1950)
- Frank FanningIt All Came True (1940) and The Plot Thickens (1936)
- Hughie MackThe Wedding March (1928) and Greed (1924)
- John RocheMonte Carlo (1930) and Sin Takes a Holiday (1930)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.