Myrtle Stedman (born Myrtle Lincoln; March 3, 1883 – January 8, 1938) was an American leading lady and later

character actress A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

in motion pictures who began in

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

s in 1910.

Biography

Stedman was born Myrtle Lincoln in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

, and educated at Mrs. Starett's School there and at the Chicago School of Acting. She and her family moved to Colorado because of her father's mining interests there. Stedman performed in

light opera Comic opera, sometimes known as light opera, is a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending and often including spoken dialogue. Forms of comic opera first developed in late 17th-century Italy. By the 1730s, a ne ...

and

musical comedies Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement ...

in Chicago. Her voice was cultivated in France. Her tutor was Marchesi, who was known as one of the finest instructors of voice culture in his country. She married Marshall Stedman, a drama school conductor, in January 1900. They had one child together,

Lincoln Stedman Lincoln Stedman (May 18, 1907 – March 22, 1948) was an American silent film actor. Biography Stedman was born in Denver, Colorado, the only child to Marshall Stedman and silent film beauty Myrtle Stedman. Stedman had a career in films da ...

, before divorcing in 1920. In 1915, Stedman became the first woman elected to the Motion Picture Board of Trade of America.

Music career

Stedman debuted in Chicago as a solo dancer with the Whitney Opera Company. She did not enter the field of opera because of her preference for light opera. She starred for a number of seasons in ''Isle of Spice'' and ''The Chocolate Soldier''. She performed for a year at the Whitney Theater in Chicago and was a

prima donna In opera or commedia dell'arte, a prima donna (; Italian for "first lady"; plural: ''prime donne'') is the leading female singer in the company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. ''Prime donne'' often had grand off-stage per ...

of the

Chicago Grand Opera Company Two grand opera companies in Chicago, Illinois, have gone by the name Chicago Grand Opera Company during the first half of the 20th century. Like many opera ventures in Chicago, both succumbed to financial difficulties within a few years, and i ...

Film career

Her first appearances in movies, beginning in 1910, were in Selig studio Western and action short films. She was the only female member of Selig's company at that time, making her the female lead in all of that studio's Westerns. Among her feature films are ''

Flaming Youth Flaming Youth can refer to: * ''Flaming Youth'' (novel), a 1923 novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams * ''Flaming Youth'' (film), a 1923 film based on the novel starring Colleen Moore and Milton Sills * Flaming Youth (band) Flaming Youth were a Britis ...

'', '' The Valley of the Moon'', ''The Dangerous Age'', and '' The Famous Mrs. Fair''. After Selig, Stedman joined the Hobart Bosworth Productions Company. She also worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Famous Players-Lasky studios. She retired in 1931, but in 1936, she was signed by

Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American Film studio, film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, Califo ...

to play bit and extra roles.. A contract with Warner Bros. was in effect at the time of her death. In 1917, Stedman toured the United States for 10 weeks, making personal appearances at theaters that had shown her films. After the tour, she planned to go to New York to form her own company to make films. Her last release was ''Accidents Will Happen'', in 1938.

Death

On January 8, 1938, Stedman died of a heart attack at age 52. She was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California. the American Beauty

Partial filmography

*'' The Telltale Knife'' (1911) *''

When the Heart Calls ''When the Heart Calls'' is a 1912 American silent era short Western comedy film starring Lee Moran, Russell Bassett, Louise Glaum, and Victoria Forde. Directed by Al Christie and produced by the Nestor Company, it was distributed by t ...

'' (1912) *'' The Cattle Thief's Escape'' (1913) *'' Valley of the Moon'' (1914) *'' Hypocrites'' (1915) *''

The Wild Olive ''The Wild Olive'' is a lost 1915 American drama silent film directed by Oscar Apfel and written by Elmer Blaney Harris, Basil King and Oliver Morosco. The film stars Myrtle Stedman, Forrest Stanley, Mary Ruby, Charles Marriott, Edmund Low ...

'' (1915) *''

Nearly a Lady ''Nearly a Lady'' is a lost 1915 American comedy silent film directed by Hobart Bosworth and written by Elsie Janis. The film stars Elsie Janis, Frank Elliott, Owen Moore, Myrtle Stedman and Harry Ham. The film was released on August 12, 1915, ...

'' (1915) *'' Jane'' (1915) *''

As Men Love ''As Men Love'' is a lost 1917 American drama silent film directed by E. Mason Hopper, and written by Adele Harris and Lois Zellner. The film stars House Peters, Sr., Myrtle Stedman, Jack W. Johnston, and Helen Jerome Eddy. The film was released ...

'' (1917) *''

The World Apart ''The World Apart'' is a lost 1917 silent film western directed by William Desmond Taylor and starring Wallace Reid and Myrtle Stedman. It was produced by Oliver Morosco Photoplay Company (Oliver Morosco) and distributed by Paramount Pictures. ...

'' (1917) *''

In the Hollow of Her Hand contemporary advert ''In the Hollow of Her Hand'' is a lost 1918 American silent mystery drama film directed by Charles Maigne and starring Alice Brady. It was produced and distributed by the Select Pictures Corporation. Cast *Alice Brady as ...

'' (1918) * ''

In Honor's Web ''In Honor's Web'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Paul Scardon, written by Sam Taylor (scenario) and Perry N. Vekroff (story). The film stars Harry T. Morey, Gladden James, and George Backus George may refer to: People * Ge ...

'' (1919) *''

Sex Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing animal or plant produces male or female gametes. Male plants and animals produce smaller mobile gametes (spermatozoa, sperm, pollen), while females produce larger ones ( ova, of ...

'' (1920) * ''

The Tiger's Coat ''The Tiger's Coat'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Roy Clements and starring Lawson Butt, Tina Modotti and Myrtle Stedman.Connelly p.421 Cast * Lawson Butt as Alexander MacAllistter * Tina Modotti as Jean Ogilvie / Maria ...

'' (1920) *'' The Silver Horde'' (1920) *''

Harriet and the Piper ''Harriet and the Piper'' is a 1920 American drama film directed by Bertram Bracken and written by Monte M. Katterjohn. It is based on the 1920 novel ''Harriet and the Piper'' by Kathleen Norris. The film stars Anita Stewart, Ward Crane, Cha ...

'' (1920) *''

Old Dad ''Old Dad'' is a 1920 American drama film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and written by J. Grubb Alexander. It is based on the 1919 novel ''Old Dad'' by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott. The film stars Mildred Harris, John St. Polis, Myrtle Stedman, Irvi ...

'' (1920) *'' The Whistle'' (1921) *''

Sowing the Wind Sowing is the process of planting seeds. An area or object that has had seeds planted in it will be described as a sowed or sown area. Plants which are usually sown Among the major field crops, oats, wheat, and rye are sown, grasses and leg ...

'' (1921) *'' Black Roses'' (1921) *''

Nancy from Nowhere ''Nancy from Nowhere'' is a Lost film, lost 1922 American silent romantic comedy film directed by Chester Franklin and starring Bebe Daniels. It was produced by Realart Pictures and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Plot As described in a film ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Hands of Nara ''The Hands of Nara'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Harry Garson and starring Clara Kimball Young, Elliott Dexter and Vernon Steele.Munden p.323 It is based on the novel of the same title by Richard Washburn Child. Cast * Cla ...

'' (1922) * '' Ashes'' (1922) * ''

Rich Men's Wives ''Rich Men's Wives'' is a lost 1922 American silent drama film directed by Louis J. Gasnier and starring House Peters, Claire Windsor and Gaston Glass. Synopsis A bored wife of a wealthy man is irritated by his neglect, and is drawn into a fl ...

'' (1922) *''

Reckless Youth Thomas Carter (born September 18, 1974) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Reckless Youth. He has competed in numerous North American independent promotions including the East Coast Wrestling Association, Comba ...

'' (1922) *''

The Dangerous Age ''The Dangerous Age'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by John M. Stahl and written by J.G. Hawks, Bess Meredyth, and Lenore Coffee. The film stars Lewis Stone, Cleo Madison, Edith Roberts, Ruth Clifford, Myrtle Stedman, and Jame ...

'' (1923) * ''

Temporary Marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

'' (1923) *'' The Famous Mrs. Fair'' (1923) * '' Six Days'' (1923) *''

Crashin' Thru ''Crashin' Thru'' is a 1923 American silent Western film directed by Val Paul and starring Harry Carey. With no copies of ''Crashin' Thru'' located in any film archives, it is a lost film. Cast * Harry Carey as Blake * Cullen Landis as Cons ...

'' (1923) *''

The Age of Desire ''The Age of Desire'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Josef Swickard, William Collier Jr., and Mary Philbin. It was distributed through Associated First National Pictures. Plot As described in a film ...

'' (1923) *''

'' (1923) *'' Lilies of the Field'' (1924) *''

The Woman on the Jury ''The Woman on the Jury'' is a lost 1924 American silent drama film produced and released by Associated First National and directed by Harry Hoyt. It is based on a Broadway stage play, ''The Woman on the Jury'', and stars Sylvia Breamer and ...

'' (1924) *''

The Breath of Scandal ''The Breath of Scandal'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Louis J. Gasnier and starring Betty Blythe, Patsy Ruth Miller, and Jack Mulhall. It is based on the 1922 novel of the same title by Edwin Balmer. Cast Preservation ...

'' (1924) *'' Judgment of the Storm'' (1924) *'' Bread'' (1924) *''

Wine Wine is an alcoholic drink typically made from fermented grapes. Yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts are ...

'' (1924) *''

The Mad Whirl ''The Mad Whirl'' is a 1925 American jazz age black-and-white silent drama film about the "loosening of youth morals" that took place during the 1920s. Written by Edward T. Lowe Jr. and Lewis Milestone, and directed by William A. Seiter for U ...

'' (1925) *''

Sally Sally may refer to: People *Sally (name), a list of notable people with the name Military * Sally (military), an attack by the defenders of a town or fortress under siege against a besieging force; see sally port *Sally, the Allied reporting na ...

'' (1925) *'' Chickie'' (1925) *''

Tessie "Tessie" is both the longtime anthem of the Boston Red Sox and a 2004 song by the punk rock group Dropkick Murphys. The original "Tessie" was from the 1902 Broadway musical ''The Silver Slipper''. The newer song, written in 2004, recounts how t ...

'' (1925) *'' The Far Cry'' (1926) *''

The Prince of Pilsen ''The Prince of Pilsen'' is a lost 1926 American silent romantic comedy film directed by Paul Powell and starring Anita Stewart and George Sidney. David Belasco produced the film. It was based on a 1903 Broadway musical, ''The Prince of Pilsen ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Man in the Shadow ''The Man in the Shadow'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by David Hartford and starring David Torrence, Mary McAllister and Joseph Bennett.Munden p.482 Cast * David Torrence as Robert Rodman * Mary McAllister as Lucy Rodman * ...

'' (1926) *''

Don Juan's Three Nights ''Don Juan's Three Nights'' also known as ''Don Juan's 3 Nights'' is a 1926 American silent romantic drama film directed by John Francis Dillon and starring Lewis Stone, Shirley Mason, and Malcolm McGregor. It was produced by Henry Hobart and ...

'' (1926) *'' The Black Diamond Express'' (1927) *''

The Life of Riley ''The Life of Riley'' is an American radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film, a 1950s television series, and a 1958 comic book. Radio The radio program initially aired on the Blue Network (later kn ...

'' (1927) *''

The Irresistible Lover ''The Irresistible Lover'' is a lost 1927 American silent comedy film directed by William Beaudine. Cast * Norman Kerry as J. Harrison Gray * Lois Moran as Betty Kennedy * Gertrude Astor as Dolly Carleton * Lee Moran as Lawyer * Myrtle Stedma ...

'' (1927) *'' Alias the Deacon'' (1928) *'' Their Hour'' (1928) *'' The Jazz Age'' (1929) *''

The Wheel of Life ''The Wheel of Life'' is a famous boulder problem in the sport of rock climbing. Located in Hollow Mountain Cave in the Grampians of Australia and initially graded , it is now commonly considered to be . Route The problem, which consists of ov ...

'' (1929) *''

The Love Racket ''The Love Racket'' is a 1929 American early sound crime drama film produced and distributed by First National Pictures. It was directed by William A. Seiter and starred Dorothy Mackaill. It is based on a Broadway play, ''The Woman on the Jury ...

'' (1929) (sound remake of ''The Woman on the Jury'') *'' Lummox'' (1930) *'' The Truth About Youth'' (1930) *''

Beau Ideal ''Beau Ideal'' is a 1931 American pre-Code adventure film directed by Herbert Brenon and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film was based on the 1927 adventure novel '' Beau Ideal'' by P. C. Wren, the third novel in a series of five novels ba ...

'' (1931) *''

The Widow in Scarlet ''The Widow in Scarlet'' (also known as ''Lady Raffles'') is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery crime film directed by George B. Seitz and starring Dorothy Revier, Kenneth Harlan and Lloyd Whitlock . It was distributed by the independent Mayfair ...

'' (1932) *'' Forbidden Company'' (1932) * ''

Alias Mary Smith ''Alias Mary Smith'' is a 1932 American mystery crime film directed by E. Mason Hopper and starring Blanche Mehaffey, John Darrow and Raymond Hatton.Langman & Finn p.6 It was released by the independent company Mayfair Pictures. Synopsis A you ...

'' (1932) *'' Klondike'' (1932) *'' Beggars in Ermine'' (1934) *''

Give Me Liberty ''Give Me Liberty'' is an American four-issue comic book mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics in 1990. It was created and written by Frank Miller and drawn by Dave Gibbons. The title of the series comes from a famous quotation by American F ...

'' (1936)

References

External links

*
Myrtle Stedman
at Virtual History {{DEFAULTSORT:Stedman, Myrtle 1883 births 1938 deaths 20th-century American actresses Actresses from Chicago American film actresses American silent film actresses Burials at Inglewood Park Cemetery History of Oakland, California Warner Bros. contract players 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers Western (genre) film actresses