Marie Dressler (born Leila Marie Koerber, November 9, 1868 July 28,
1934) was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress, comedian, and
early silent film and Depression-era film star. In 1914, she was in
the first full-length film comedy. She won the Academy Award for Best
Actress in 1931.Leaving home at the age of 14, Dressler built a career
on stage in traveling theatre troupes, where she learned to appreciate
her talent in making people laugh. In 1892, she started a career on
Broadway that lasted into the 1920s, performing comedic roles that
allowed her to improvise to get laughs. From one of her successful
Broadway roles, she played the titular role in the first full-length
screen comedy, Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914), opposite Charlie
Chaplin and Mabel Normand. She made several shorts, but mostly worked
in New York City on stage. During World War I, along with other
celebrities, she helped sell Liberty bonds. In 1919, she helped
organize the first union for stage chorus players.Her career declined
in the 1920s, and Dressler was reduced to living on her savings while
sharing an apartment with a friend. In 1927, she returned to films at
the age of 59 and experienced a remarkable string of successes. For
her performance in the comedy film Min and Bill (1930), Dressler won
the Academy Award for Best Actress. She died of cancer in 1934.
1934) was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress, comedian, and
early silent film and Depression-era film star. In 1914, she was in
the first full-length film comedy. She won the Academy Award for Best
Actress in 1931.Leaving home at the age of 14, Dressler built a career
on stage in traveling theatre troupes, where she learned to appreciate
her talent in making people laugh. In 1892, she started a career on
Broadway that lasted into the 1920s, performing comedic roles that
allowed her to improvise to get laughs. From one of her successful
Broadway roles, she played the titular role in the first full-length
screen comedy, Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914), opposite Charlie
Chaplin and Mabel Normand. She made several shorts, but mostly worked
in New York City on stage. During World War I, along with other
celebrities, she helped sell Liberty bonds. In 1919, she helped
organize the first union for stage chorus players.Her career declined
in the 1920s, and Dressler was reduced to living on her savings while
sharing an apartment with a friend. In 1927, she returned to films at
the age of 59 and experienced a remarkable string of successes. For
her performance in the comedy film Min and Bill (1930), Dressler won
the Academy Award for Best Actress. She died of cancer in 1934.
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