Born 1895 as Mary Elizabeth Riggs in Tampa, Florida, American actress Evelyn Brent began her film career working under her own name at a New Jersey film studio then made her major debut in the 1915 silent film production of the Robert W. Service poem, The Shooting of Dan McGrew.
As Evelyn Brent, she continued to work in film, developing into a young woman whose sultry looks were much sought after. After World War I, she went to London for a vacation and remained in England for four years performing on stage and in films produced by British companies before going to Hollywood in 1922.
Her career received a major boost the following year when she was chosen as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars. Brent went on to make more than two dozen silent films, an epic war drama, and featured a pivotal supporting performance for William Powell.
After performing in more than 120 films, Brent retired from acting in 1950 and worked for a number of years as an actor’s agent. She returned to acting in television’s Wagon Train for one episode in 1960, The Lita Foladaire Story starring Ward Bond and Diane Brewster.
In 1960, Brent was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a motion pictures star for her contributions to the film industry. Her star is located at 6548 Hollywood Boulevard. She died of a heart attack in 1975 at her Los Angeles home, aged 79.
Take a look at these gorgeous photos to see the beauty of Evelyn Brent in the 1920s and 1930s.
Leave a Reply