Louise Lester (August 8, 1867 – November 18, 1952) was an American silent film actress. She was the first female star of Western films.
Biography Lester was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 8, 1867.
In 1884, Lester headed the Louise Lester Opera Company.
Lester made her debut in movies as a member of the Flying A Company in Santa Barbara, California after a career on stage. She starred in over 150 films before her retirement in 1935.
Lester is most famous for starring as Calamity Anne in a series of films based around the character. She also starred with William Garwood in films such as The Oath of Pierre.
Her married name was Louise Lester Beal. She was the widow of Frank Beal, a film director. She was also married to actor Jack Richardson.
On November 18, 1952, Lester died at the Motion Picture Country Home, aged 85. Her funeral was conducted in the chapel of the Utter-McKinley Strouthers Mortuary, 6240 Hollywood Boulevard. The services were conducted by the Baháʼí Faith.
Calamity Anne Lester created the Calamity Anne character and was dramatist for the series. She starred as Calamity Anne in a series of fifteen short films based around the character, playing the lead role in films such as Calamity Anne's Inheritance, Calamity Anne's Vanity, Calamity Anne's Beauty, and Calamity Anne, Heroine all in 1913. The series continued for another four years, with the final film being Calamity Anne's Protégé, released in 1917.
Selected filmography
The Opium Smuggler (1911, Short) - Mrs. Watson Calamity Anne's Ward (1912, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Inheritance (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Vanity (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne, Detective (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Beauty (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Parcel Post (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne Takes a Trip (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne, Heroine (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Sacrifice (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Dream (1913, Short) - Calamity Anne Rose of San Juan (1913, Short) - Ozozco's Mother Calamity Anne in Society (1914, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Love Affair (1914, Short) - Calamity Anne The Strength o' Ten (1914, Short) - Betty's Mother The Poet of the Peaks (1915, Short) - Mrs. Davis The Day of Reckoning (1915, Short) - Mrs. Crew Mountain Mary (1915, Short) - Mary Doone - Ivan's Mother The Honor of the District Attorney (1915, Short) - Nora Mortimer - Dora's Mother The Newer Way (1915, Short) - Mrs. Bates The Exile of Bar-K Ranch (1915, Short) - Mrs. Jack Donald - Millie's Mother The Assayer of Lone Gap (1915, Short) - Mrs. Dugan - Belle's Mother Drawing the Line (1915, Short) In Trust (1915, Short) - Molly The Little Lady Next Door (1915, Short) - The Housekeeper The Barren Gain (1915, Short) - Mrs. Cameron - Philip's Mother Hearts in Shadow (1915, Short) - Mrs. Burke Profit from Loss (1915, Short) - Mrs. Dean The Silken Spider (1916, Short) - Ursula Jacques April (1916) - Martha Fagan Tangled Skeins (1916, Short) - Mrs. Wellington Dust (1916) - Mina's mother Calamity Anne, Guardian (1916, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's New Job (1917, Short) - Calamity Anne Calamity Anne's Protégé (1917, Short) - Calamity Anne The Reckoning Day (1918) - Mrs. Schram The Mayor of Filbert (1919) - Belle Glover The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1919) The Luck of the Irish (1920) - The Landlady Her Reputation (1923) - Consuelo The Desert Hawk (1924) - Bridget Galloping On (1925) - Mrs. Moore - Wally's Mother Second Choice (1930) - Minor Role (uncredited) Wide Open (1930) - Office Worker (uncredited) Straight from the Heart (1935) - Woman (uncredited) (final film role)
References
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