Actress. The middle sister of silent screen idols Norma Talmadge and Constance Talmadge, she had her own brief career in films but is better remembered as the first wife of legendary comedian Buster Keaton. Born in Brooklyn, Talmadge made her performing debut as a harem girl in D.W. Griffith's "Intolerance" (1916) and then worked on both sides of the camera, either as a supporting player in Norma's melodramas or as a script girl for "Fatty" Arbuckle comedies. She was introduced to Keaton on the set of "Go West" (1918) and they married in 1921. Her last movie role was by far her best, as Keaton's leading lady in "Our Hospitality" (1923), but by then the relationship was already growing strained. Talmadge banished Keaton from their bedroom after giving birth to their second child in 1924, and while he pursued other women she devoted herself to joylessly spending his money. Both eventually developed drinking problems. Following the couple's 1933 divorce she had her children's names legally changed to Talmadge and refused to allow them to see their father for many years. She never remarried and died a recluse at her Santa Monica home. Talmadge's other films include "A Country Hero" (1917), "The Isle of Conquest" (1919), "The Love Expert" (1920), "Yes or No" (1920), "The Haunted House" (1921), and "Passion Flower" (1921).
Actress. The middle sister of silent screen idols Norma Talmadge and Constance Talmadge, she had her own brief career in films but is better remembered as the first wife of legendary comedian Buster Keaton. Born in Brooklyn, Talmadge made her performing debut as a harem girl in D.W. Griffith's "Intolerance" (1916) and then worked on both sides of the camera, either as a supporting player in Norma's melodramas or as a script girl for "Fatty" Arbuckle comedies. She was introduced to Keaton on the set of "Go West" (1918) and they married in 1921. Her last movie role was by far her best, as Keaton's leading lady in "Our Hospitality" (1923), but by then the relationship was already growing strained. Talmadge banished Keaton from their bedroom after giving birth to their second child in 1924, and while he pursued other women she devoted herself to joylessly spending his money. Both eventually developed drinking problems. Following the couple's 1933 divorce she had her children's names legally changed to Talmadge and refused to allow them to see their father for many years. She never remarried and died a recluse at her Santa Monica home. Talmadge's other films include "A Country Hero" (1917), "The Isle of Conquest" (1919), "The Love Expert" (1920), "Yes or No" (1920), "The Haunted House" (1921), and "Passion Flower" (1921).
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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