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Dorothy DunbarAmerican actress and socialite
Date of Birth: 28.05.1902
Country:  USA |
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Dorothy Dunbar Biography
Dorothy Dunbar, also known as Edith Augusta Dunbar, was an American actress and socialite who gained fame in the silent film era of the 1920s. She was born on May 28, 1902, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Early Life and Career
At the age of two, Dorothy made her stage debut at Daly's Theatre on Broadway in the musical comedy "The School Girl" on September 1, 1904. However, this would be her only performance on Broadway, as she did not return to the stage. In 1924, she changed her name to Dorothy Dunbar and headed to Hollywood, where she appeared in several films, including the lead role in the romantic drama "The Amateur Gentleman" in 1926, alongside future Oscar nominee Richard Barthelmess. Her portrayal of Lady Cleone Meredith gained her significant attention. Dorothy also became the fourth actress to play Jane in the film "Tarzan and the Golden Lion" in 1927, with James Pierce as Tarzan. Boris Karloff also appeared in the film as a native named Owaza.
Personal Life
After starring in only nine films, Dorothy left the film industry after marrying for the second time. Her second husband was Thomas Bucklin Wells II, a wealthy member of high society from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He even appeared in a film himself, playing the leading role in the 1927 romantic comedy "Ain't Love Funny?". It is believed that Dorothy had a total of seven husbands, including theater producer Maurice, whom she divorced in 1926; Thomas Wells, whom she married in October 1926 until his death; South American millionaire Jaime De Garson, whom she divorced in 1931; American boxer and actor of German origin Max Baer, whom she divorced in 1933; portrait artist Tino Costa, whom she married in 1936 but had the marriage annulled in 1937; and Russell Lawson. With Lawson, Dorothy had two sons, Richard and Russell Jr.
Dorothy's marriage to Tommy Wells was on the brink of divorce when she received a telegram from Paris, where he was dying. She rushed to Paris and spent his final hours by his side. Tommy suffered from drug addiction and passed away in her arms. Dorothy's intuition paid off as she inherited a monthly income of $2,500 from the properties she received after his death. She then met a wealthy Latin American in London and married him, only to divorce him and succumb to the charms of Max Baer. She later referred to herself as Dorothy Dunbar Wells. In 1936, she completed a collection of poetry but never sent it for publication. Dorothy decided not to return to the film industry.
Later Life and Legacy
Dorothy's marriage to the French artist Costa was annulled at her request, as she found her latest husband "temperamental and cold." In December 1937, she sued the family of her second husband, Tommy Wells, seeking compensation of $270,000 from his trust fund. Dorothy discovered that the papers she had signed after her husband's death, which she was told were powers of attorney for managing his estate, were actually a renunciation of the trust fund. After marrying her seventh husband, Dorothy began signing her name as Dorothy Wells Lawson. Her hobbies included golf and bridge, and she even participated in tournaments and won several prizes.
Dorothy Dunbar passed away on October 23, 1992, at the age of 90, in Seattle, Washington.
