Florence Lawrence (January 2, 1886 – December 28, 1938) was a Canadian inventor and silent film actress, who is often referred to as "The First Movie Star". She was also known as "The Biograph Girl", "The Imp Girl" and "The Girl of a Thousand Faces". During her lifetime, Lawrence appeared in more than 270 films for various motion picture companies.
Born Florence Annie Bridgwood in Hamilton, Ontario, she was the child of Charlotte A. Bridgwood, a ...
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Florence Lawrence (January 2, 1886 – December 28, 1938) was a Canadian inventor and silent film actress, who is often referred to as "The First Movie Star". She was also known as "The Biograph Girl", "The Imp Girl" and "The Girl of a Thousand Faces". During her lifetime, Lawrence appeared in more than 270 films for various motion picture companies.
Born Florence Annie Bridgwood in Hamilton, Ontario, she was the child of Charlotte A. Bridgwood, a vaudeville actress who went by the name Lotta Lawrence, was the leading lady and director of the Lawrence Dramatic Company. Nothing is known of her father. Florence's surname was changed at age four to her mother's stage name. While she was still a small child, Florence, her mother and two older brothers moved from Hamilton, Ontario to Buffalo, New York. She attended local schools and developed her athletic skills, in particular horseback riding and ice-skating.
After graduating from school, Lawrence joined her mother's dramatic company....
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