Daisy Belmore

Daisy Belmore
Belmore in 1943
Born
Daisy Gertrude Belmore

(1874-06-30)30 June 1874
England
Died12 December 1954(1954-12-12) (aged 80)
New York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1882–1954
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Spouse
Samuel Waxman
(m. 1902⁠–⁠1942)
RelativesLionel Belmore (brother)

Daisy Belmore (30 June 1874 – 12 December 1954) was an English stage and film actress. Born in England, Belmore moved to the United States in 1910 where she settled, achieving citizenship in 1939 and fame as a leading stage actress, as well as on film. Her career started at the age of 8 and following a break to complete her education, she returned to stage aged 15, touring the world with the Wilson Barrett company to countries including America, Australia and India. Her godmother was Ellen Terry, who was among the most famous actresses of her time.

She first visited the United States in 1910 to appear in the musical comedy Our Miss Gibbs, produced by Charles Frohman and would later work with William Faversham. Her breakthrough role came in 1921 as the character of Old Sweetheart in Three Live Ghosts, as a "gin drinking lovable old mother" which earned her much praise and she was barely recognised in the street following her character's appearance transformation. She was later part of a "strong cast" for the 1928 silent film We Americans and was part of the supporting cast of My Past in 1931, alongside stars including Joan Blondell and Virginia Sale. Belmore helped arrange acting classes in Shakespearean drama for Nellie Bramley, an upcoming Australian stage actress. In June of 1935 she starred in a joint production of the Vine Street Theatre and Harold Lloyd's Beverly Hills Little Theatre for Professionals, "The Widow in Green," directed by Dickson Morgan, and also starring Grace Stafford, Alden Chase, Colin Campbell, and Viola Moore.[1]

She married Melbourne-born Samuel Waxman in 1902 had 2 children, Eric and Ruth, before their separation in 1923 and his death in 1942. Her daughter was also a stage actress and musician, sometimes appearing alongside her mother. One of her brothers was director Lionel Belmore. Belmore died in her apartment at the Wellington Hotel in December 1954 due to a heart attack.

  1. ^ "Hollywood Vine Street Quits Films for Legit". Variety. 22 May 1935. p. 54. Retrieved 23 March 2024.