Evelyn Greeley

Evelyn Greeley (1888–1975) was a prominent actress in silent films. She appeared in approximately 30 films from 1915 to 1922.

Three images of Greeley from 1918
Greeley in 1919

Early life and education

Evelyn Greeley was born on November 3, 1888, in Austria.[1] She was the daughter of Stefan Mahorko[1] (Marko, Marquo) born in Nondorf, Austria[2] and Fannie Huber born in Csaktornya, Hungary.[1][2] Contemporary publicity incorrectly called her the granddaughter of Horace Greeley,[3] and gave her place of birth as Lexington, Kentucky; she actually immigrated from Bremen, Germany to Baltimore, Maryland under the name Emilie Mahorko[4] on the S.S. Munchen on September 1, 1897, with her mother and five siblings: Adeline, William, Frances, Lucille and Frank.[4] Later, three more siblings, Marion, Audrey and Juanita were born in Chicago.[5] Her death certificate reverses her parents' surnames to Stephen Huber and Frances Marko.[6][7]

Greeley is said to have attended the Frances Shimer Academy, now known as Shimer College, and the University School for Girls in Chicago,[7] but some researchers have regarded this account of her education as simply another part of her "fictional life story".[8]

Acting career

Greeley began her acting career on the stage, touring with the "Poli Players" stock company of Sylvester Z. Poli. She began working in film in 1914, for the Chicago-based Essanay Studios, doing bit parts.[8] It was only after more than a year that she obtained her first credit line, in the Quality Pictures production The Second in Command.[8]

Greeley's career peaked in the years 1917–19, when she was under contract to the World Film Corporation, and starred opposite Carlyle Blackwell in numerous films. Her contract with World Film ended in 1920, and in the ensuing years she appeared in pictures produced by several different companies.

Filmography
Greeley in 1922.

Personal life and death

Greeley, who had been billed in the newspapers as the "most proposed-to woman in America",[9] married for the first time to John Smiley on October 25, 1922.[10] Smiley is variously identified as a fellow actor[11] or a steel company executive.[10]

On November 5, 1928, Greeley became the wife of businessman James Henry Rand.[12] Rand and Greeley divorced in September 1960, charging one another with cruelty.[13] She married Harold Charles Heermann in January 1962,[12] and Morgan Smith Laity after 1965.

Greeley died in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 25, 1975.[3] She was survived by her husband Morgan.

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Evelyn Greeley.
  1. 1900 U.S. Census - Emily Mahorko Chicago, Illinois
  2. Passport Application Fannie Huber Mahorko 1923
  3. Denise Lowe (2005). "Greeley, Evelyn". An Encyclopedic Dictionary of Women in Early American Films: 1895–1930. Psychology Press. p. 626. ISBN 0789018438.
  4. Passenger List S.S. Munchen 1 Sep 1897
  5. 1910 U.S. Census - Evelyn Mahorko Chicago, Illinois
  6. Death Certificate - Evelyn H. Rand Laity
  7. Billy H. Doyle & Anthony Slide (1995). "Evelyn Greeley". The ultimate directory of the silent screen performers: a necrology of births and deaths and essays on 50 lost players. Scarecrow Press. p. 31. ISBN 0810829584.
  8. Ulrich, Rudolf (2004). Österreicher in Hollywood. Film Archiv Austria. p. 167. ISBN 3901932291.
  9. "Help Leap Year Lover Propose. So Says Evelyn Greeley, Who Accepts or Rejects Somebody Every Day". Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader. February 4, 1920. p. 14.
  10. "Kentucky Bride". Tampa Tribune. October 31, 1922. p. 6.
  11. Vazzana, Eugene Michael (2001). Silent Film Necrology. McFarland. p. 210. ISBN 9780786410590.
  12. Marriage Record
  13. "Rand Divorce Final". Cleveland Plain Dealer. September 19, 1960. p. 24.
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