Actress. Born in New York City and descended from a show biz family, she was already a veteran of the stage when director D.W. Griffith brought her into the cinema in 1910. She was usually cast as a matriarch,  memorably as John Gilbert’s mother in “The Big Parade” (1925), and Ramon Novarro’s mother in “Ben-Hur” (1925).  In all McDowell appeared in over 350 films before her retirement in 1944.  They include “His Trust” (1911),  “The Mark of Zorro” (1920),  “The Viking” (1928),  “Four Devils” (1929),  “The Big House” (1930),  “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” (1932),  and “Wild Boys of the Road” (1933).  She was married to actor Charles Hill Mailes. (bio by: Bobb Edwards)  Family links:  Spouse:  Charles Hill Mailes (1870 – 1937)* *Calculated relationship