Acting
Marguerite De La Motte
Marguerite De La Motte (June 22, 1902 – March 10, 1950) was a prominent American film actress recognized for her work during the silent film era.
Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, De La Motte was born to Joseph and Mrs. De La Motte. She graduated from the Egan School of drama, music, and dancing in 1917. Her artistic journey began with ballet lessons under the renowned Anna Pavlova, leading her to become a featured dance star for Sid Grauman's theater by 1919. At just 16 years old, she made her film debut in the 1918 romantic comedy Arizona, directed by Douglas Fairbanks. Tragically, in 1920, she lost both of her parents—her mother in a car accident and her father to heart disease—leading to film producer J.L. Frothingham taking guardianship of her and her brother.
Throughout the 1920s, De La Motte's career flourished, often partnered with Fairbanks in swashbuckling classics like The Mark of Zorro and The Three Musketeers. She formed a close bond with Fairbanks and his wife, actress Mary Pickford. However, her acting opportunities dwindled as the silent film era waned. She continued to appear in smaller roles during the sound era, with her last film being Overland Mail in 1942.
Post-acting, De La Motte contributed to the war effort as an inspector during World War II and later worked at the Red Cross in San Francisco. In recognition of her contributions to film, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960.
