Claire Adams
From Wikipedia Claire Adams (September 24, 1898 โ September 25, 1978) was a Canadian silent film actress and benefactor. She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as the daughter of Stanley Wells Adams, a Welsh-born accountant, and his Canadian wife, Lillian Adams (nรฉe Kennedy). Educated in Canada and England, Claire Adams worked briefly as a nurse with the Red Cross during World War I. In 1920 Adams signed a five-year contract with Benjamin Bowles Hampton, a Hollywood producer and her future husband. She later moved to California where she acted in more than forty silent films, including melodramas, comedies and westerns. Described as "patricianly beautiful", Adams worked with many of Hollywood's leading actors, including Adolphe Menjou, Tom Mix, Wallace Beery, and Lon Chaney. In 1923 she was Rin Tin Tin's leading lady in Where the North Begins, which was a huge success and is often credited with saving Warner Bros. from bankruptcy. She later maintained that Rin Tin Tin was her "favourite leading man". Her best known film was The Big Parade, the second largest grossing silent film in cinematic history. It was directed by King Vidor and Adams starred alongside John Gilbert. Perhaps her most memorable role came in 1920 as Barbara, the artist who helps humanize the crippled crime boss played by Lon Chaney in The Penalty. She married film producer Benjamin B. Hampton in Hollywood on September 18, 1924. They had no children. He died in 1932 leaving her very wealthy. Later that year Adams met Scobie Mackinnon, the second son of L.K.S. Mackinnon, at a party in London and three weeks later they married on April 1 in Mayfair. They remained childless. After a protracted honeymoon, in March 1938, Mackinnon brought Adams to Victoria, Australia. On his death in 1974, Scobie Mackinnon's estate was worth A$2,111, 729, which was left entirely to Adams. She died on September 25, 1978, in Windsor, Victoria and was cremated.
Known For
Credits
- 2009 ยทFive Starsas
- 1934 ยทWhat a Mother-in-Law!as Frances
- 1927 ยทMarried Aliveas Viola Helmesley Duxbury
- 1926 ยทThe Sea Wolfas Maud Brewster
- 1926 ยทYellow Fingersas Nona Deering
- 1925 ยทThe Big Paradeas Justyn Reed
- 1925 ยทMen and Womenas Agnes Prescott
- 1925 ยทThe Devil's Cargoas Martha Joyce
- 1925 ยทSouls for Sablesas Helen Ralston
- 1924 ยทThe Brass Bowlas Sylvia
- 1924 ยทThe Fast Setas Fay Collen
- 1924 ยทOh, You Tony!as Betty Faine
- 1924 ยทHonor Among Menas Patricia Carson
- 1924 ยทThe Girl in the Limousineas The Girl
- 1924 ยทThe Night Hawkas Clia Milton
- 1924 ยทDaddiesas Bobette Audrey
- 1923 ยทLegally Deadas Minnie O'Reilly
- 1923 ยทWhere the North Beginsas Felice McTavish
- 1923 ยทStepping Fastas Helen Durant
- 1923 ยทBrass Commandmentsas Ellen Bosworth
- 1922 ยทDo and Dareas Juanita Sรกnchez
- 1922 ยทJust Tonyas Marianne Jordan
- 1922 ยทHeart's Havenas Vivian Breed
- 1922 ยทGolden Dreamsas Mercedes McDonald
- 1922 ยทWhen Romance Ridesas Lucy Bostil
- 1921 ยทThe Mysterious Rideras Columbine
- 1921 ยทThe Man Of The Forestas Helen Raynor
- 1921 ยทThe Killeras Ruth Emory
- 1920 ยทThe Great Loveras Ethel
- 1920 ยทThe Penaltyas Barbara Ferris
- 1920 ยทRiders of the Dawnas Lenore Anderson
- 1919 ยทThe Invisible Bondas
- 1919 ยทThe End of the Roadas Mary Lee
- 1918 ยทRomance and Brass Tacksas
- 1917 ยทBarnaby Leeas Dorothy Van Swringen
- 1917 ยทChris and His Wonderful Lampas Betty
- 1912 ยทRevenge Is Sweetas One of the Office Girls