Etta Lee Frost (September 12, 1906 – October 27, 1956) was an American silent film actress, known for supporting roles.
Early life Etta Lee Frost was born on September 12, 1906, in Kauai, Territory of Hawaii (now Hawaii), as the daughter of Martin B. Frost. Her father was a Chinese medical doctor and her mother was of French ancestry. She had a sister, Ella Deverill, and grew up in California and went on to get her degree in education at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Lee moved back to Hawaii to be a teacher, before returning to Los Angeles to begin her career as an actress.
Career Lee's first film was A Tale of Two Worlds in 1921, where she played Ah Fah, a Chinese maid. She played another Chinese maid named Liu in the 1923 film The Remittance Woman, a maid in The Untameable (1923), A Thief in Paradise (1925), The Trouble with Wives (1925), and International House (1933). Other so-called exotic roles she was cast in included The Slave of the Sand Board in The Thief of Bagdad (1924).Exhibitor's Trade Review 1923: 1227. Print.Photoplay 1925: 395. Web. November 9, 2016.Variety 1923. Print. In 1923, she was called the only Eurasian girl in films.
Lee directly commented on the lack of diversity in her roles in an article in 1924. She noted that "I am equipped…to show oriental impulse and emotional complexities. But in this field I have not yet had opportunity." She went on to discuss that even in terms of getting roles meant for Chinese women, she was often turned down because she was of mixed race and did not look Chinese enough.
She made her first stage debut in the summer of 1927, with a production of The Scarlet Virgin in Los Angeles.
Personal life In 1932, Lee married Frank Robinson Brown, a Welsh-born radio announcer and columnist, and retired from acting afterward. She became active in her community following retirement, becoming chairwoman of the Eureka Woman's Club. She was also an active member of the Episcopal Church.
Lee died at her residence in Eureka, California, on October 27, 1956, at the age of 50. She was survived by her husband, sister, and two nephews.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1921A Tale of Two WorldsAh Fah1922The Toll of the SeagossipThe InfidelChinese girl Lost film The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The InfidelEast is WestUncredited role1923The Remittance WomanLiu Po-Yat Lost filmThe UntameableAh Moy1924The Thief of Baghdadslave of the Sand BoardUncredited role1925A Thief in ParadiseRosa's maid Lost filmThe Dressmaker from ParismannequinUncredited role Lost filmRecompensedancing girl Lost filmThe Trouble with Wivesmaid Lost film1927CamilleMataloti Incomplete filmThe Chinese Parrotgirl in gambling den Lost film1929Manchu LoveEmpress Tzu Hsi1933International HousePeggy's maidUncredited role1934The Mysterious Mr. WongLusan - Moonflower's attendant1935Clive of Indiaslave girlUncredited roleLet's Live TonightmanicuristUncredited role
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