Mildred Hillary Davis[1] (February 22, 1901[citation needed][note 1][2] – August 18, 1969) was an American actress who appeared in fifteen of Harold Lloyd's classic silent comedies and eventually married him.

Mildred Davis Lloyd
Mildred Davis in 1924
Born
Mildred Hillary Davis

(1901-02-22)February 22, 1901
DiedAugust 18, 1969(1969-08-18) (aged 68)
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater"Friends School"
OccupationActress
Years active1916–1969
Spouse
(m. 1923)
Children3, including Harold Lloyd Jr.

Early life and career

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The daughter of Howard Beckett Davis,[3] she was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and educated at the Friends School in Philadelphia. After spending several years studying, she traveled to Los Angeles in the hopes of securing a role in a film. After appearing in several small roles, she caught the attention of Hal Roach, who pointed her out to comedian Lloyd. Lloyd was looking for a leading lady to replace Bebe Daniels, and cast Davis in his comedy short From Hand to Mouth in 1919. It would be the first of fifteen films they would star in together.[citation needed]

On February 10, 1923, Davis married Lloyd. After marrying, Lloyd announced that Davis would not appear in any more motion pictures. After much persuasion by Davis (and much grief) she received Lloyd's consent for her return to the screen in Too Many Crooks, which Lloyd produced through his production company. It was the only acting role she undertook after becoming married.[citation needed]

Death

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On August 18, 1969, Davis died in St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.[4]

Filmography

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Film still of Davis and her future husband Harold Lloyd in the silent comedy Among Those Present (1921)
Year Title Role
1916 Marriage à la Carte
1917 What'll We Do with Uncle?
Fighting Mad Lily Sawyer
1918 Bud's Recruit Edith's sister
A Weaver of Dreams Margery Gordon
1919 All Wrong Betty Thompson
Start Something
All at Sea
Call for Mr. Caveman
Giving the Bride Away
Looking for Trouble
Tough Luck
From Hand to Mouth The Girl
1920 Red Hot Hottentotts
Why Go Home?
The Floor Below
His Royal Slyness Princess Florelle
Getting His Goat
Haunted Spooks The Girl
An Eastern Westerner The Girl
High and Dizzy The Girl
Get Out and Get Under The Girl
Number, Please? The Girl
1921 Humor Risk
Now or Never The Girl
Among Those Present Miss O'Brien, The Girl
I Do Wife
Never Weaken The Girl
A Sailor-Made Man The Girl
1922 Grandma's Boy His Girl
Doctor Jack The Sick-Little-Well-Girl
1923 Safety Last! The Girl
Temporary Marriage Hazel Manners
Condemned The Girl
1927 Too Many Crooks Ceia Mason

Notes

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  1. ^ The reference book Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory gives Davis's birth date as January 1, 1900.

References

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  1. ^ Vance, Jeffrey; Lloyd, Suzanne (2002). Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian. Harry N. Abrams. p. 52. ISBN 0-8109-1674-6.
  2. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  3. ^ "A Full Life". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. September 12, 1955. p. 3. Retrieved 28 August 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Ex-Actress Mildred Davis, Harold Lloyd's Wife, Dies". The Fresno Bee. Associated Press. August 19, 1969. p. 5. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
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