Elsa Benham

Elsa Benham (November 20, 1908[1] – April 20, 1995, Dallas, Texas[2]) was a dancer and silent movie actress.

Elsa Benham
Born(1908-11-20)November 20, 1908
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedApril 20, 1995(1995-04-20) (aged 86)
Dallas, Texas
Occupation(s)Film actress, dancer

Benham was born in St. Louis, Missouri.[1] She and her family moved to Hollywood during her early childhood.[3]

Benham was Theodore Kosloff's dancing partner[4] and was discovered by film director James Cruze as a member of the Kosloff Ballet when she performed in the film Hollywood (1923).[1] Cruz signed her to a small part in a movie he was making. Her career progressed quickly as she secured roles in Dick Turpin (1925) with Tom Mix and The Phantom of the Opera, which starred Mary Philbin and Lon Chaney.[5]

In 1925 Benham won a popularity contest conducted by the West Hollywood Business Men's Association. It was entered by many film actresses. She was awarded a diamond ring for winning. Press reports compared her appearance to actress Barbara La Marr, though Benham was many years younger. Benham was about 5'2" in height, 110 lbs. with hazel eyes, and brown hair.[1]

Benham had a brief tenure as a Hollywood actress. Most of her screen credits are in western films. Some of the titles are Fighting With Buffalo Bill (1926), Speeding Hoofs (1927), and Code of the Cow Country (1927).[1]

She was married to Kenneth D. Neff.[1]

Filmography

References
  1. George A. Katchmer (2015). "Benham, Elsa". A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland & Company. p. 24. ISBN 9781476609058.
  2. Elsa Benham. Retrieved July 18, 2021. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. "Elsa Benham, From Missouri, Admit (sic) 'Wilson Showed Me'". The Press-Tribune. California, Roseville. February 22, 1928. p. 8. Retrieved June 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "'Fighting with Buffalo Bill', new adventure picture, here on Tuesday". Times-Advocate. California, Escondido. December 3, 1926. p. 3. Retrieved June 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "New name on list of film beauties". The Los Angeles Times. March 8, 1925. p. Part III - 26. Retrieved June 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Film Reviews: Code of the Cow Country". Variety. 87 (9): 25. June 15, 1927.
  7. "Film Reviews: THE AIR PATROL". Variety. 90 (1): 19. January 18, 1928.
  • Los Angeles Times, How do you like these Newcomers?, March 25, 1925, Page C4.


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