Leatrice Joy Biography

Fast Facts

• Her daughter was author Leatrice Gilbert Fountain with her first husband, fellow silent star John Gilbert
• Made her screen acting debut in the film "His Turning Point" in 1915
• Best known for her role as Mary Leigh in "The Ten Commandments" and as Lydia Thorne in "Manslaughter․"
• Was often cast as strong-willed, independent women or as women who were mistaken for young men
• Although she mostly retired in 1931 at the end of the silent film era, she appeared later in sound films like "Air Hostess," "First Love," and "Red Stallion in the Rockies․"
• Appeared in a number of comedies with Billy West and Oliver Hardy as well as several Cecil B․ DeMille films, including "Triumph" and "The Ten Commandments․"
• Also appeared on stage in several regional productions and performed in Radio City Music Hall's "Night of 100 Stars" in 1985