Mildred Harris (November 29, 1901 – July 20, 1944) was a leading American film actress during the early part of 20th century. She was also the first wife of Charlie Chaplin. Harris began her career in the film industry as a popular child actress at age 11. At the age of 15, she was cast as a harem girl in D. W. Griffith's Intolerance (1916). She appeared as a leading lady through the 1920s but her career slowed with the advent of the "talkies". She was critically praised for No, No Nanette in 1930, had a few bit parts in the early 1940s, and made her last appearance in the posthumously released Having Wonderful Crime of 1945.
Norman Spencer Chaplin, Everett Terrence McGovern Jr.
Parents
Harry Harris, Anna Parsons Foote
Movies
The Magic Cloak of Oz, Intolerance, Movie Maniacs, The Power of the Press, Reap the Wild Wind, Hoodoo Ann, A Prince There Was, The Price of a Good Time, His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz, The Americano, Fool's Paradise, Cruise of the Jasper B, For Husbands Only, The Inferior Sex, The Cold Deck, Dange...
Star Sign
Sagittarius
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Fact
1
She was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6307 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
2
Following her untimely death, she was interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
3
Began her film career in 1912 as an 11-year-old. She became known as "Innocent Mildred Harris" because of her virtuous looks, and at one time was one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood. After the coming of sound, her career declined and she finished up as an extra.
4
Died from pneumonia following a major abdominal operation.
5
Had one son with Everett Terrence McGovern: Everett Terrence McGovern, Jr. (born 1925).
6
In 1930, she introduced Edward, Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII and later Duke of Windsor) to Wallis Simpson (Duchess of Windsor).
She was the mother of Charles Chaplin's first child, a son named Norman Spencer (born July 7, 1919). The baby, who was nicknamed "The Little Mouse", was born with severe disabilities and lived only three days.
10
She was 17 years old when she and Charles Chaplin wed; he was 29.