Marguerite Clark

Broadway and Silent Movie Actress. After a successful stage career, she starred in a number of Hollywood productions. Raised in Cincinnati, she graduated from a Catholic boarding school at 16, then left to persue her show business ambitions. After working in Baltimore as a chorus girl in 1899, Marguerite made her Broadway bow in 1900; she was to have roles at a number of theaters, often of the adventure type. She earned notice for her work in “Mr. Pickwick” (1903), “The Wishing Ring” and “Baby Mine” (both 1910), and the 1912 “The Affairs of Anatol” (the latter with John Barrymore). Marguerite signed to make movies with the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation in 1914; a bit old at 31 to start a film career, her 4’10” stature and “little girl” looks belied her age. She made her silver screen debut with “Wildflower”, following with Gretchen in “The Goose Girl” (1915), “The Seven Sisters” (1915), the first full-length “Snow White” (1916), and taking the parts of both Little Eva and Topsy in 1918’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. The year 1918 saw her marry Louisiana planter Harry Palmerston Williams (deceased 1936); in 1919, she starred in “Come Out of the Kitchen”, and enlisted as a Yeomanette in the Navy Reserve. Marguerite left Famous Players-Lasky after the 1920 “Easy to Get”, and formed her own company, First National Pictures. She retired to her husband’s plantation following “Scrambled Wives”; after Mr. Williams’ death, she lived in New York. Today, Marguerite is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (bio by: Bob Hufford)  Family links:  Spouse:  Harry Palmerston Williams (1889 – 1936)