Esther Ralston (September 17, 1902 – January 14,
1994) was an American movie actress whose greatest popularity came
during the
silent era.
Early life and career
Ralston started as a child actress in a family
vaudeville act which was billed as "The Ralston
Family with Baby Esther, America's Youngest Juliet." From this, she
appeared in a few small
silent film
roles before gaining attention as Mrs. Darling in the 1924 version
of
Peter Pan.
In the
late 1920s she appeared in many films for Paramount, at one point earning as much
as $8000 a week, and garnering much popularity, especially in
Britain
.
Displaying the sweet charm that credited her as "The Blonde Beauty
of the Silent Screen", and by
Florenz
Ziegfeld, "The American Venus", She was among Hollywood's great
silent film actresses. She appeared mainly in
comedies, often portraying spirited society
girls, but she also received good reviews for her forays into
dramatic roles. In 1962, she had a leading role in the short-lived
daytime drama,
Our Five
Daughters.
Retirement
Despite making a successful transition to
sound, she was reduced to appearing in
B-movies by the mid-1930s, leading to her
retirement. By the time she settled down in 1941, she had made over
150 movies. During the mid 1950's as Mrs. Esther Lloyd, a
grandmother, she worked in the Seventh Church of Christ Scientist
in New York. Happy with her life, Ralston expressed no desire to
make a comeback.
Esther
Ralston died in Ventura, California
on January 14, 1994.
She was
honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
(6664 Hollywood Boulevard
) for her popular work in motion
pictures.
Family relationships
She is of no known relation to fellow
silent
film actress
Jobyna Ralston. She
was the aunt of television/stage/radio/recording artist
Bob Ralston and the great-great aunt of stage
and television actor
Field Cate.
Selected filmography
References
- Drew, William H. Speaking of Silents: First Ladies of the
Screen. Vestal: New York, 1989.
External links
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