Julia Swayne Gordon

Julia Swayne Gordon (born Sarah Victoria Smith; October 29, 1878 – May 28, 1933)[1] was an American actress who appeared in at least 228 films between 1908 and 1933.

Julia Swayne Gordon
Gordon in 1923
Born
Sarah Victoria Smith

(1878-10-29)October 29, 1878
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 28, 1933(1933-05-28) (aged 54)
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeGreen Lawn Cemetery
OccupationActress
Years active1903–1933
SpouseHugh T. Swayne

Early years

Gordon was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Louis and Anna Smith and was educated there.[2] She went to Denver to study dramatics under Jessie Bonstelle.[3]

Career

Gordon moved to New York and acted in stock theater, after which, she performed with Henrietta Crosman and James A. Herne.[2]

Gordon's work in film began in 1905[4] with the Edison Company, and in 1908 she moved to Vitagraph Studios.[1] In 1911 she starred in Vitagraph's screen portrayal of the Lady Godiva legend. Perhaps her most memorable performance, however, is as Richard Arlen's mother in the World War I silent film Wings (1927), which won the first Academy Award for Best Picture. In a highly dramatic scene in that acclaimed production, Gordon bids farewell to Arlen as he departs for combat flight training in France, tearfully packing him off with his favorite childhood toy.

Personal life and death
Gordon performing in 1922.

Gordon was married to Hugh T. Swayne.[4]

Gordon continued to act until her death.[5] On May 28, 1933, she died of cancer at her Hollywood home, aged 54. Her ashes are buried at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.[6]

Partial filmography

References
  1. Commire, Anne; Klezmer, Deborah (2007). Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages, Vol. 1. p. 763. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  2. Lowrey, Carolyn (1920). The First One Hundred Noted Men and Women of the Screen. Moffat, Yard. pp. 64–65. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. "Julia S. Gordon dies". Times Union. New York, Brooklyn. June 7, 1933. p. 22. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Former Film Star Dies in California". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. June 7, 1933. p. 11. Retrieved October 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Erickson, Hal. "Julia Swayne Gordon". AllMovie. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  6. Wilson, Scott (August 19, 2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. McFarland. p. 288. ISBN 978-1-4766-2599-7. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
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