Birth Day: 1898-09-09
Place of birth: Midland, Texas, USA
Bessie Love (born Juanita Horton, September 10, 1898 - April 26, 1986) became one of the most recognizable faces of early American cinema. After her family moved to Los Angeles, she was sent to Biograph Studios, where legendary director D.W. Griffith noticed her talent and cast her in several films, including Intolerance (1916). During the silent era, she gained popularity for her lively, wholesome screen presence and worked with major stars such as Douglas Fairbanks. Her career soared in the 1920s, and she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star in 1922, marking her as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actresses. Love made a successful transition to sound films—something many silent stars struggled with. Her performance as Hank Mahoney in The Broadway Melody (1929) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, cementing her place in film history. In the 1930s, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she continued acting in film, theatre, radio, and later television. Her career ultimately spanned from 1915 to 1983, making her one of the longest‑working performers of her generation. She died on April 26, 1986, in London at age 87.
Credits
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As Self (archive footage) -
As Self (archive footage)
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As Self -
As Lillybelle -
As Flora -
As Mrs. Partlow -
As Old Lady - T.O.C. -
As Lady Cunard -
As (voice) -
As Maurine -
As Mrs. Richardson -
As American Lady -
As Mrs. Frost -
As Answering Service Lady -
As Baccarat Player (uncredited) -
As Mrs. Duncan -
As Matron -
As American tourist (uncredited) -
As Pet Shop Customer -
As Marjorie's Mother -
As Martha Burroughs
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As Narrator (voice) -
As Mrs. Robbin -
As Bunny -
As Mrs. Busch -
As Harriet P. Jefferson -
As Becky Wiener -
As Art Gallery Customer -
As Mrs Baxter -
As Mrs. Eubanks -
As Prisoner -
As Bride's Mother in Wedding Group -
As Plane Passenger (uncredited) -
As Mrs. Mary McWilliams -
As Herself
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As Begonia Baggot -
As Helen Hutson -
As Self -
As Carlie Seymour -
As Margaret Holt -
As Babe -
As Mary -
As Ellen -
As Hattie Hartley -
As Helen Thayer -
As Self -
As Harriet 'Hank' Mahoney -
As Sally Rand -
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As Ginger Bolivar -
As Mitzi Lavelle -
As Nora Banks -
As Janet Cleghorne -
As Jane Wilton -
As Mary Ellen Stack -
As Lovey Mary -
As Marie -
As Victoria -
As Leola Lane
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As Nora Shea -
As Paula White -
As Teita -
As Mary Young -
As Veda Anargas -
As Ellen Crawley -
As Lahleet
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As Marie -
As Mary, his wife -
As Grace Pierce -
As Violet -
As Mary Finnegan -
As Pauline Gaudin -
As Mui Far -
As Effie Kugler -
As John Caspar / Virginia Cartwright
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As Bernice -
As Herself (uncredited) -
As Julia -
As Hilda Gray -
As Edna Earle -
As Self - Celebrity Actress (uncredited) -
As Hyacinth -
As Ann, The Girl -
As Anna Moore (The Country Girl) -
As Gloria Phillips
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As Self -
As Self -
As Self -
As Rosemary Martin -
As Penny -
As Mary -
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As Blossom Nelson -
As The Geologist's Wife -
As Bonnie May -
As Pegeen O'Neill -
As Aurelie Lindstrom -
As Peggy Winston (The Little Boss) -
As Joy Havenith -
As Geraldine Farleigh -
As Peggy Gordon -
As Alannah Malone -
As Patsy O'Reilly
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As Shirley Hollister -
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As Rags -
As Celeste Janvier -
As Sue Prescott -
As Caroline Rogers -
As Polly Ann -
As Rose Eastman -
As Nina -
As Wee Lady Betty -
As Janet Magie -
As Judy -
As Amy -
As Hulda -
As The Little Fish Blower -
As Agnes -
As Helen Carter -
As Mary Jane Garth -
As Prudence -
As Briar Rose Dawson
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As Waffles
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As The Girl
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As The Bride of Cana (Judean Story)