Jessie Ralph Patton ( Chambers; November 5, 1864 – May 30, 1944), was an American stage and screen actress, best known for her matronly roles in many classic films.
Early life
Jessie Ralph Chambers was the 13th child born to sailing captain James Chambers and his wife.
Born in
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester ( ) is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It sits on Cape Ann and is a part of North Shore (Massachusetts), Massachusetts's North Shore. The population was 29,729 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. Census. ...
in 1864, she made her acting debut in
stock theater in 1880, at age 16.
Career
Ralph made her Broadway debut in ''The Kreutzer Sonata'' (1906) and her final appearance on Broadway was in ''The Good Earth'' (1932).
In 1915, Ralph debuted in two-reel films in New York, not arriving in Hollywood until 1933.
She was nearly 70 then, so her parts were limited to matronly roles, but her ability to steal scenes captured the attention of moviegoers of the time.
Ralph's best-known roles include Nurse Pegotty in ''
David Copperfield
''David Copperfield''Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work; see is a novel by English author Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from infancy to matur ...
'' (1935), Nanine,
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo (born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson; 18 September 1905 – 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress and a premier star during Hollywood's Silent film, silent and early Classical Hollywood cinema, golden eras.
Regarded as one of the g ...
's maid in ''
Camille'' (1936), as
Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy (born Myrna Adele Williams; August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American film, television and stage actress. As a performer, she was known for her ability to adapt to her screen partner's acting style.
Born in Helena, Monta ...
's Aunt Katherine (in a state of permanent high dudgeon) in ''
After the Thin Man'' (1936) and as Mrs. Hermosillo Brunch, battle-axe mother-in-law to
W.C. Fields in ''
The Bank Dick'' (1940). From 1933 to 1941, Ralph appeared in 55 films, 11 of them released during 1935.
Personal life
Ralph married actor William Patton on August 21, 1901 in Manhattan, New York. They remained married until his death.
They had no children.
Death
Ralph retired from Hollywood in 1941 after having her leg amputated.
She died in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on May 30, 1944, aged 79
and was interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Filmography
References
External links
*
*
Jessie Ralphportrait at NY Public Library Billy Rose Collection
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ralph, Jessie
1864 births
1944 deaths
19th-century American actresses
20th-century American actresses
Actresses from Massachusetts
American film actresses
American stage actresses
People from Gloucester, Massachusetts
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players
Warner Bros. contract players