Klara Bou American actress, silent film star and sex symbol of the 1920s. Date of Birth: 29.07.1905 Country: USA

Clara Bow Biography

Clara Bow was an American actress, a silent film star, and a sex symbol of the 1920s. She was born on July 29, 1906, in Brooklyn to Sarah Gordon and Robert Bow. Clara was the third child of Sarah and Robert, but both of her older sisters died in infancy. Her mother suffered from mental illness and epilepsy, and Clara often witnessed her seizures as a result of their lack of money for medical treatment. Clara grew up in extreme poverty in a small rented apartment. Her father, who was likely mentally disabled, rarely worked and was physically and emotionally abusive towards his wife and daughter.

At the age of fifteen, Clara was sexually assaulted by her father. In her absence, her mother turned to prostitution to support themselves, locking Clara in a closet while she entertained clients. Clara had a troubled childhood, struggling to fit in and feeling more comfortable with boys than girls. She was especially close with a neighbor boy named Johnny, and she would often fight to protect him from bullies. However, tragedy struck when Johnny died in a fire at his apartment, an event that deeply affected Clara.

From a young age, Clara developed a love for movies, idolizing Mary Pickford and being infatuated with the actor Wallace Reid, whom she saw in the famous historical film "The Birth of a Nation". At the age of sixteen, Clara decided to enter the "Fame and Fortune" contest, where the winner would receive a small role in the film "Down to the Sea in Ships". Despite thinking her photos turned out terrible, Clara won the contest based on her unique appearance and fiery red hair. She made her debut in "Down to the Sea in Ships" in 1922, but her scenes were ultimately cut from the final film. However, this did not deter Clara from pursuing her dreams.

Clara's mother strongly opposed her daughter becoming an actress, equating it to prostitution. After Clara's second film, her mother even attempted to kill her with a meat cleaver. This incident left Clara with lifelong insomnia. Clara began to gain recognition after her role in the whaling drama "The Daring Years" in 1922. Her career gradually soared, although she constantly felt guilty for defying her mother's wishes. During the filming of "Enemies of Women" in 1923, Clara learned of her mother's death and struggled with the belief that she was responsible.

In 1923, Clara caught the attention of a representative from Preferred Pictures, who invited her for a screen test and offered to pay for her trip to Hollywood. Although her initial meeting with the head of the studio, B.P. Schulberg, did not go well, Clara's talent for pantomime impressed him, and he signed her to a contract. Their collaboration began with the romantic drama "Maytime" in 1923. Over the next two years, Clara appeared in twenty-three films, primarily in supporting roles.

Clara's popularity soared in 1925 after her role as the spirited shopgirl Cynthia Day in the romantic comedy-drama "It". This film solidified her status as a sex symbol and earned her the nickname "It girl". Despite her success, Clara's scandalous behavior and numerous affairs with her co-stars, such as Gary Cooper and Gilbert Roland, tarnished her reputation. In 1927, she starred in the war drama "Wings", which became the first silent film to win an Academy Award.

However, Clara's career began to decline in the late 1920s. She struggled with the transition to sound films, as her expressive pantomime style did not translate well to spoken dialogue. In 1930, a scandal involving her personal secretary, Daisy DeVoe, further damaged her career. Clara's contract with Paramount Pictures was terminated, and she married her co-star Rex Bell in 1931. They had two sons together.

In 1949, Clara was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her treatment, including shock therapy, proved unsuccessful. She lived a reclusive life separate from her husband and rarely left her Los Angeles home. Clara's husband became the Vice Governor of Nevada in 1954 but passed away in 1962. Clara survived him for three years and died of a heart attack on September 27, 1965, at the age of 59.