Mary Pickford

A determined Canadian immigrant rises from poverty to become Hollywood's first female mogul, redefining cinema and herself as the beloved "America's Sweetheart" in the golden age of silent film.

Born

1892

Died

1979

From

Toronto, Ontario, Canada·Santa Monica, California, USA

Also:
Actress
Producer
Writer

152

Credits on file

Decades active

Awards

In short · Acted for 13 decades — 152 credits, 5 Academy Award wins.

Remembered for

Ranked by community engagement + sustained interest across this person's credits in our database.

Recent & in release

2028
In release
Charmed Lives: A Family Romance
1999
Award win
Canada S Walk Of Fame — Canada's Walk of Fame
1975
Award win
Academy Honorary Award — Academy Honorary Award
1975
Award win
Academy Awards — Oscar — Honorary Award
1930
Award win
Academy Award — Best Actress

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Biography

Mary Pickford was born Gladys Louise Smith in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Elsie Charlotte (Hennessy) and John Charles Smith. She was of English and Irish descent. Pickford began in the theater at age seven, performing under the name "Baby Gladys Smith" as she toured with her family in various theater companies. At some point, following the insistence of her devout maternal grandmother when young Gladys was seriously ill with diphtheria, she was given a Catholic baptism and her middle name was changed to "Marie." In 1907, she adopted the family name Pickford and joined the David Belasco troupe, appearing in the long-running play "The Warrens of Virginia." She began her film career in 1909 with the American Mutoscope & Biograph, working with director D.W. Griffith. In 1911, to earn more money, she briefly joined the IMP Film Co. under Carl Laemmle. She returned to Biograph in 1912, and in 1913 joined the Famous Players Film Company under Adolph Zukor. In 1918, she joined First National Exhibitor's Circuit. In 1919, she co-founded United Artists with D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, and then-future husband Douglas Fairbanks.