Mary Pickford

Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

Mary Pickford was a pioneering Canadian-American film actress, producer, screenwriter, and film studio founder who became one of the most famous and recognizable women in the world during the silent film era. She was a driving force behind the development of Hollywood and the film industry, co-founding Pickford–Fairbanks Studios and United Artists, and was one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Table of Contents

About the Mary Pickford

Gladys Louise Smith (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979), known professionally as Mary Pickford, was a Canadian-American film actress, producer, screenwriter and film studio founder. She was a pioneer in the American film industry, with a Hollywood career that spanned five decades.

Alongside her future husband, actor-producer Douglas Fairbanks, Pickford founded Pickford-Fairbanks Studios and United Artists, and was one of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. During her prime, Pickford was considered to be one of the most recognizable women in the world.

Known as “America’s Sweetheart” during the silent film era, she is named on the list of the AFI’s 100 Years…100 Stars as the 24th-top female star from the Classical Hollywood Cinema era and the “girl with the curls”.

Pickford was one of the Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood and a significant figure in the development of film acting. She was one of the most popular actresses of the 1910s and 1920s, earning the nickname “Queen of the Movies”. She is credited with having defined the ingenue type in cinema.

She was awarded the second Academy Award for Best Actress for her first sound film role in Coquette (1929). She received an Academy Honorary Award in 1976 in consideration of her contributions to American cinema.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mary Pickford was a Canadian-American film actress, producer, screenwriter, and film studio founder who was a pioneer in the American film industry, with a Hollywood career that spanned five decades.

Mary Pickford’s professional name was Gladys Louise Smith, but she was known professionally as Mary Pickford.

Alongside her future husband, actor-producer Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford co-founded Pickford–Fairbanks Studios and United Artists, and was one of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Mary Pickford was awarded the second Academy Award for Best Actress for her first sound film role in Coquette (1929), and she received an Academy Honorary Award in 1976 in consideration of her contributions to American cinema.

Known as ,America’s Sweetheart, during the silent film era, Mary Pickford is credited with having defined the ingénue type in cinema and is considered one of the most popular actresses of the 1910s and 1920s.

Mary Pickford was one of the Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood and a significant figure in the development of film acting, playing a crucial role in the growth and success of the film industry.

Mary Pickford is named on the list of the AFI’s 100 Years…100 Stars as the 24th-top female star from the Classical Hollywood Cinema era, highlighting her immense popularity and influence during the silent film era.

9 Quotes by Mary Pickford

  1. 1.

    Make them laugh, make them cry, and hack to laughter. What do people go to the theatre for? An emotional exercise. I am a servant of the people. I have never forgotten that.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  2. 2.

    Supposing you have tried and failed again and again. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  3. 3.

    I was forced to live far beyond my years when just a child, now I have reversed the order and I intend to remain young indefinitely.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  4. 4.

    One of the great penalties those of us who live our lives in full view of the public must pay is the loss of that most cherished birthright of man’s, privacy.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  5. 5.

    Adding sound to movies would be like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  6. 6.

    The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  7. 7.

    It would have been more logical if silent pictures had grown out of the talkies instead of the other way around.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  8. 8.

    If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)

  9. 9.

    You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.

    Mary Pickford

    Canadian actress and producer (1892-1979)