Destined to become America's first sweetheart, Mary Pickford was born Gladys Marie Smith on April 8, 1892, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Acting would become second nature to little Mary. Her parents were actors and it was only natural that she would follow in their footsteps. Her mother wasted no time in introducing her to the stage, and she appeared in one production at the age of six. After numerous stage plays, Mary entered the film world and immortality. At the age of 16 she starred as Dorothy Nicholson in Mrs. Jones Entertains (1909). The next year was a busy one for her. In the early days of filmmaking it wasn't at all uncommon for performers to churn out several films per year, often working on more than one at a time. In 1909, Mary appeared in 51 films - almost one a week! She had joined the 'American Mutoscope & Biograph [us]' under the direction of D.W. Griffith. Griffith, from Crestwood, Kentucky, and some of his films with Mary reflected his home state such as In Old Kentucky, In the Border States and A Feud in the Kentucky Hills. If the 1909 season was busy for her, the following year was no less hectic, with Mary putting in work on 49 films. In 1911 she left Biograph to work with Carl Laemmle, but returned to Griffith the next year, in which she put out only 27 films, as opposed to the 48 she did in 1911. By now Mary was 20 and had appeared in 176 films; most performers today couldn't boast that kind of work record for their entire career. By 1913 Mary had cut back her grueling schedule drastically, with only four movies in 1913, but she was by no means idle; she was now writing and producing films. In 1920, she was in only two films - Suds and Pollyanna - but, more importantly, she helped to establish United Artists Pictures, a studio that was responsible for many great films for the next 60-plus years before being bought by MGM. Mary was more than an actress; she was a tough, savvy businesswoman with, and was proud of the fact that she knew what worked for her and what didn't. On top of all that, she was one of 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Finally, at 43, Mary made her last film, Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove, and then retired from films for a well-deserved rest. Her career lasted from 1908 to 1935, encompassing 236 films. Without a doubt, Mary Pickford was the most popular star in the silent era, if not of all time. She was awarded an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1976, from the very organization she had started years earlier. On May 29, 1979, she died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Santa Monica, California. She was 87 years old.
Heart o' the Hills (1919): $350,000
The Hoodlum (1919): $350,000
Daddy-Long-Legs (1919): $350,000
A Romance of the Redwoods (1917): $96,667
The Courting of Mary (1911): $275/week

She had intended to have all of her films destroyed after her death, fearing that no one would care about them. She was convinced not to do this. One of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Arguably the silent era's most renowned female star. Katz goes so far as to call her "the most popular star in screen history." Sister of actor/director Jack Pickford. Sister of screen/stage actress Lottie Pickford. In same stage company as Lillian Gish and Dorothy Gish in early 1900s. Step-mother to Douglas Fairbanks Jr.. Her mansion Pickfair was sold ten months after her death for $5,362,000; later sold to Pia Zadora in January 1988 for just under $7 million. Had cousins from Port Dalhousie, Ontario, who owned a hot dog stand on the local beach. She would sometimes help them on her summer visits during World War I by serving customers. Stage producer David Belasco gave Mary her stage name in 1908. Her real name, Gladys Marie Smith, wasn't right for an actress on his stage. "Gladys" didn't suit the diminutive actress, "Smith" was too common, "Marie" was too foreign. "Marie" became "Mary". "Pickford" was her mother's maiden name. Years later, a fan who traced her family tree found that the name "Mary Pickford" occurred several times in her mother's family going back to the 12th century, She and Charles 'Buddy' Rogers adopted 2 children. Formed United Artists company with Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith, and Charles Chaplin. First artist to have her name in marquee lights. The first international star. Interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California, USA, in the Garden of Memory. (Not accessible to the general public). Half English, half Irish. Sister-in-law of Robert Fairbanks. Sister-in-law of Tom Moore and Matt Moore. Turned down the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd.. Daughter of actress Charlotte Smith. Became a US citizen on her marriage to Douglas Fairbanks, but later reclaimed her Canadian citizenship and died a dual US/Canadian citizen. She was the first movie actress to receive a percentage of a film's earnings Sister-in-law of Joe Moore, aunt of Alice Moore. Measurements: 33 1/4-25-36 (from her dress designer), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine) Son Ronnie has two children, daughter Jamie (born 1954) and son Tommy (b. 1955). Daughter Roxanne gave birth to a daughter in the early 1960s. She left her children $50,000 and her grandchildren trust funds. Was the subject of the first cinematic close up shot, in 1912's Friends. Second cousin of John Mantley. First star (along with husband Douglas Fairbanks) to officially place hand and footprints in the cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre (April 30, 1927). Hollywood legend has it that the very first star to do so, unofficially, thus inspiring the ensuing tradition, was Norma Talmadge when she accidentally walked onto the wet cement prior to the official opening of the Theatre Was named #24 on The American Film Institute 50 Greatest Screen Legends Is portrayed by Maria Pitillo in Chaplin The house in which she lived in Hollywood for most of her life was nicknamed "Pickfair". Ernst Lubitsch came to America on an invitation of Mary to direct Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall (eventually directed by Marshall Neilan). When he arrived he said he wouldn't. Instead, he and Mary made Rosita together. Coquette was her first Talkie. Her likeness is included as part of the "Canadians in Hollywood" stamp series released by CanadaPost in 2006. The others in the series were Fay Wray, Lorne Greene and John Candy. Her first starring appearance in a film was in 'The Violin Maker of Cremona (1909 short)' produced by 'American Mutoscope & Biograph [us]' . She was first hired for the movies by director D.W. Griffith for the 'Biograph Company [us]'