Myrta Bonillas (November 3, 1890 – November 13, 1959) was an American actress of the silent film era known for her roles in films such as Shackles of Gold (1922), The Custard Cup (1923), The Claw (1927) and Lummox (1930).
Career Bonillas reportedly worked as an extra for Fox Film Corporation for only one day in 1922 before her beauty inspired director Herbert Brenon to offer her the role of Countess Koefield in his film A Stage Romance, which starred William Farnum. Some sources also report that she was discovered by actor Christy Cabanne. The same year, Bonillas in another film by Brenon, Shackles of Gold (1922), this time as Farnum's love interest. Bonillas collaborated with Brenon on several other films during her career, including The Custard Cup (1923) and Lummox (1930).
Bonillas married in 1924, and stopped acting until 1927. After 1930, she appeared primarily in uncredited roles, with the exception of 1939's Así es la vida (Such is Life), an Argentinian film directed by Francisco Múgica. +FilmographyTitleRoleYearAsí es la vida (Such is Life)Margarita1939A Damsel in Distressuncredited1937Charlie Chan at the OperaVillager in Opera (uncredited)1936Ramonauncredited1936One Night of Loveuncredited1934Running with Charles Paddock (short film)1932LummoxVeronica Neidringhouse1930American Beauty1927The ClawSaba Rockwood1927The Gingham GirlSonia Mason1927The Custard CupGussie Bosley1923Shackles of GoldMarie Van Dusen1922A Stage RomanceCountess Koefield1922
Private life Bonillas married army captain John S. Peters on December 13, 1924. In the fall of 1928, Bonillas filed for divorce from Peters, citing mental anguish caused by Peters' physical abuse of a friend of hers.
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