Acting
Beatrice Roberts
Alice Beatrice Roberts (March 7, 1905 – July 24, 1970) was a notable American actress whose career spanned over a decade in the film industry. At just 14 years old, she entered into a brief marriage with cartoonist Robert L. Ripley on October 31, 1919, coinciding with the inception of his famous "Believe It or Not" comic strip. This union, however, lasted only three months, and the couple divorced in 1926, with Ripley later describing himself as a "confirmed bachelor."
Following her marriage, Roberts pursued opportunities in beauty pageants, competing in the 1924 and 1925 Miss America Pageants as Miss Manhattan and Miss Greater New York, respectively. She was celebrated for her beauty, winning the title of "Most Beautiful Girl in Evening Gown" on both occasions.
Roberts transitioned to Hollywood in 1933, where she appeared in nearly 60 films until 1946. Her filmography includes roles in "Tall Timber" and "Love Takes Flight," both released in 1937, showcasing her alongside notable actors like Bruce Cabot. Her most recognized performance came as Queen Azura in the 1938 serial "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars." During her time at MGM, she was romantically linked with studio chief Louis B. Mayer.
Roberts married John Wesley Smith in the 1940s, and her final film appearances were in "Criss-Cross" and "Family Honeymoon." After leaving Hollywood in 1949, she passed away from pneumonia in Plymouth, Massachusetts, at the age of 65.
