All The Babes
Mary Thurman
Also known as Mary Christiansen
- Born
- Apr 27, 1895
- height
- 5'3" (or 160 cm)
- nationality
- American
Career
Active 1915 – 1925
Biography
About Mary Thurman
A petite actress with black hair and brown eyes, Mary Thurman stood 5'3" and made a lasting mark on silent film. Born Mary Christiansen on April 27, 1895, in Richfield, Utah, she was one of seven children raised in the Mormon faith. Her father died when she was nine, yet she went on to attend the University of Utah and worked as a teacher before a 1915 trip to Hollywood changed her path.
A talent scout spotted her, and she became one of the famous Mack Sennett bathing beauties, also appearing in his comedy shorts. Starting as an extra, she quickly rose to leading lady, making over twenty films between 1916 and 1918. She costarred with Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in Leap Year and with William Desmond in The Prince and Betty. Though popular as a comedienne, she dreamed of serious roles. Producer Allan Dwan cast her in the 1920 drama In the Heart of a Fool, which earned rave reviews, and he directed her in several more films, including The Sin of Martha Queed and A Broken Doll. The two fell in love and were briefly engaged.
Mary had married her childhood sweetheart, Victor E. Thurman, but they divorced in 1919. In the fall of 1925, she began filming Down Upon the Suwanee River in Florida. There she contracted a severe case of pneumonia. After months of illness, she died on December 22, 1925, at age thirty. Her mother and her best friend, actress Juanita Hansen, were at her side. She was buried in Richfield City Cemetery in her hometown. Mary Thurman left a legacy of more than a decade in film.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Died
- Tuesday 22nd of December 1925 (age 30)
- Years Active
- 1915-1925 (started around 20 years old; 10 years active)
- Birthplace
- Richfield, Utah, United States
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Sexuality
- Straight
Body
- Hair Color
- Black
- Eye Color
- Brown
- Boobs
- Real/Natural
Frequently asked
How did Mary Thurman transition from teacher to actress?
Mary was a teacher before a 1915 trip to Hollywood, where a talent scout spotted her and she became a Mack Sennett bathing beauty.
What was Mary's relationship with director Allan Dwan?
Allan Dwan cast her in the drama In the Heart of a Fool, directed her in several films, and the two were briefly engaged.
Did you know
- Mary was born Mary Christiansen, one of seven children, and adopted the stage name Thurman after her marriage.
- She appeared in over twenty films in just two years, from 1916 to 1918.
- Her final film, Down Upon the Suwanee River, was left unfinished due to her illness.
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