Evelyn Nelson

Evelyn Nelson (November 13, 1899 – June 16, 1923) was an American silent film actress whose career encompassed 12 films over three years.[1]

This article is about the American silent film actress. For the Canadian mathematician Evelyn Nelson, see Evelyn Nelson (mathematician).

Evelyn Nelson
Evelyn Nelson and Blanche White in a promotional still as members of the "Bull's Eye Follies" in 1919
Born(1899-11-13)November 13, 1899
Chloride, Arizona, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 1923(1923-06-13) (aged 23)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress

Biography

Nelson was born in Chloride, Arizona,[1] to William Henry and Georgia P. Nelson. Her sister, Pauline D. Nelson, was a year older.

Nelson's brief film career began with a 1920 comedy short called Springtime. The actress played the role of the daughter to The Commissioner, who was portrayed by Oliver Hardy. Her screen credits number only fifteen. Nelson was last seen in the western Desert Rider (1923) in the role of Carolyn Grey. She worked for Century, Christie, Fox, and Hal Roach studios.[2] Nine of her films had her cast as leading lady in Westerns that starred Jack Hoxie.[3]

Nelson fell in love with actor Wallace Reid, who was married, and he chose to remain with his wife rather than have a relationship with Nelson.[1] In June 1923 the actress was found dead in a gas-filled room by her mother, Mrs. George P. Nelson.[4] The two women resided at 6231 De Longpre Avenue in Los Angeles, California.[2] The body was found after the mother returned from a visit to her son-in-law Charles L. King. The star of Hollywood comedies had not been seen for days and it was presumed she had been dead for some time.

Police said that two notes were found in her room. One stated that she intended to end her life because she was tired.[4] The other said "I am just about gone and will soon be with my friend Wally."[2] Reid had died after a struggle with narcotics dependency, just a few months before Evelyn. She was 23 years old. A police investigation into her death evidently did not contradict the apparent suicide.

Partial filmography

References
  1. Katchmer, George A. (2015). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. pp. 276–277. ISBN 978-1-4766-0905-8. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  2. "Last Rites for Film Actress". Los Angeles Times. June 17, 1923. p. 5. Retrieved February 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Wollstein, Hans J. "Evelyn Nelson". AllMovie. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  4. "Film Actress Takes Her Life". The New York Times. June 17, 1923. p. 20. Retrieved February 23, 2022.

Further reading
  • Michael G. Ankerich (2017). Hairpins and Dead Ends: The Perilous Journeys of 25 Actresses Through Early Hollywood. BearManor. ISBN 978-1-62933-201-7.
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