Natalie Talmadge

Natalie Talmadge (April 29, 1896 – June 19, 1969) was an American silent film actress who was the wife of Buster Keaton and sister of the movie stars Norma and Constance Talmadge. She retired from acting in 1923.

Natalie Talmadge
Talmadge c. 1930s
Born(1896-04-29)April 29, 1896
New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 19, 1969(1969-06-19) (aged 73)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery
OccupationActress
Years active1916–1923
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1921; div. 1933)​
Children2
RelativesNorma Talmadge (sister)
Constance Talmadge (sister)

Early life and career

Talmadge was born in Brooklyn, New York to Margaret L. "Peg" and Frederick O. Talmadge. She was the younger sister of Norma Talmadge and the older sister of Constance Talmadge, both of whom became film actresses.

She appeared in D.W. Griffith's Intolerance (1916), The Passion Flower (1921) with her sister Norma, and Buster Keaton's Our Hospitality (1923), her final film appearance.

Personal life

Marriage and children
Talmadge and Buster Keaton on their wedding day, May 31, 1921

Talmadge married actor Buster Keaton on May 31, 1921, at her sister Norma's home in Bayside, Queens.[1] She was Roman Catholic, but the marriage was performed as a civil ceremony.

They had two sons: Joseph Talmadge Keaton[2] and Robert Talmadge Keaton.[3] The couple lived a lavish lifestyle in Beverly Hills, Natalie spending prodigious amounts of money on clothes. After the birth of their second son, she decided not to have any more children, resulting in the couple staying in separate rooms.[2] Keaton accepted this, and they agreed that he should keep any affairs discreet.[2]

Late in the marriage, Keaton's career began to suffer after his contract with Joseph M. Schenck was sold to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. After the couple's divorce was final on August 10, 1933,[4] Talmadge legally changed their boys' names to "Talmadge", and denied them any contact with their father. In July 1942, the now-18 year old Robert and the now-20 year old Joseph made the name change legal after their mother won a court petition. [5]

Later years and death

Natalie Talmadge was in frail health during her final years and was a resident of the Santa Monica Convalescent Home. She died of heart failure on June 19, 1969, at Santa Monica Hospital.[6] She is buried in the Abbey of the Psalms in the Talmadge Room at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.[7]

Filmography
Year Film Role Notes
1916 Intolerance Favourite of the Harem Uncredited
1917 His Wedding Night Pretty Lady in Car Short, uncredited
A Country Hero Unknown role, bit part Short, lost film, uncredited
1918 Out West — Writer only
1919 The Isle of Conquest Janis Harmon Lost film
The Fall of Babylon Favourite of the Harem Archive footage, uncredited
1920 The Love Expert Dorcas Winthrop
Yes or No? Emma Martin
1921 The Haunted House Fainting Female Bank Customer Short, uncredited
The Passion Flower Milagros
1923 Our Hospitality Virginia Carfield Final film role
1924 Screen Snapshots, Series 5, No. 1 Self Short
1939 Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 12

Footnotes
  1. Talmadge, Margaret L. (1924). The Talmadge Sisters: Norma, Constance, Natalie; an Intimate Story of the World's Most Famous Screen Family. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. p. 174.
  2. Smith, Imogen Sara (2008). Buster Keaton: The Persistence of Comedy. Gambit Publishing. p. 140. ISBN 0967591740. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  3. Robert Talmadge, Social Security Death Index via ancientfaces.com, Dec. 7, 2015
  4. "Gets Final Decree From Keaton". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 11, 1933. p. 18. ProQuest 100887746. Retrieved April 8, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  5. "Keaton Sons Change Names to Talmadge" ladailymirror.com (June 30, 2012); retrieved October 26, 2021
  6. "Deaths Elsewhere: Natalie Talmadge". Toledo Blade. June 20, 1969. p. 20.
  7. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland & Company Incorporated Pub2001. p. 152. ISBN 0-786-40983-5.

Sources
  • Smith, Imogen Sara (2008). Buster Keaton: The Persistence of Comedy. Gambit Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9675917-4-2.
  • Marion Meade (1995), Buster Keaton: Cut to the Chase, (ISBN 0-306-80802-1).
  • 1900 United States Federal Census, Brooklyn Ward 8, Kings, New York; Roll T623_1047; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 109.
  • 1910 United States Federal Census, Brooklyn Ward 29, Kings, New York; Roll T624_982; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 933; Image: 948.
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