Dorothy Bernard

Nora Dorothy Bernard (June 25, 1890[1] – December 15, 1955) was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared in nearly 90 films between 1908 and 1956.

Dorothy Bernard
Bernard, c. 1915
Born
Nora Dorothy Bernard

(1890-06-25)June 25, 1890
Port Elizabeth, British Cape Colony
DiedDecember 15, 1955(1955-12-15) (aged 65)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1908-1956
SpouseA.H. Van Buren (1909-)

Biography

She was born Nora Dorothy Bernard[1] in Port Elizabeth, British Cape Colony, now part of South Africa,[2] to William H Bernard and Roy Elizabeth Ayrd. Her father was from Auckland, New Zealand, and her mother was born in Sligo, Ireland. Although her birth date is listed as July 25, 1890 in many biographies, her death certificate and U.S. passport both state her birth date as June 25, 1890. An only child, she spent her formative years in Portland, Oregon where her father worked as a stock company manager and was a well-respected actor. As a child actress, Bernard appeared in several plays in Portland under "Dot Bernard" in the Baker Theater Company. Her stepmother, actress Nan Ramsey, also appeared in several productions. In 1905, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, and her father accepted a position to manage the Balasco theater.

Bernard worked with stock theater companies in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, and Detroit. She also performed in vaudeville.[2] She first worked in films in 1911 with D. W. Griffith and the Biograph Company. On television, she portrayed Margaret, an Irish cook and housekeeper, in Life With Father after originating the role on stage.[3]

She was married to actor A.H. Van Buren[3] on July 5, 1909, in Washington D.C., and they had a daughter named Marjorie "Midge" Van Buren born in Jamaica, New York.

Bernard died of a heart attack at her Hollywood home on December 15, 1955, aged 65.[3] Her body was cremated, and her ashes were stored at Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles.[1]

Selected filmography
Bernard and daughter Marjorie depicted in The Green Book Magazine, 1916

References
  1. Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. McFarland. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-7864-7992-4. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  2. "A Little Lubin Star". Photoplay Magazine. March 1915. p. 90. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  3. "Dorothy Bernard". The New York Times. December 16, 1955. p. 29. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
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