Mildred Davis

Mildred Hillary Davis[1] (February 22, 1901[note 1][2] – August 18, 1969) was an American actress who appeared in many of Harold Lloyd's classic silent comedies and eventually became his wife.

For the suspense/mystery author see Mildred B. Davis
Mildred Davis Lloyd
Davis in 1921
Born(1901-02-22)February 22, 1901
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedAugust 18, 1969(1969-08-18) (aged 68)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater"Friends School"
OccupationActress
Years active1916–1949
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1923)​
Children3, including Harold Lloyd Jr.

Early life and career

The daughter of Howard Beckett Davis,[3] she was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and educated at the Friends School in Philadelphia. After several years spent studying, she traveled to Los Angeles in the hopes of securing a role in a film. After appearing in several small roles, she caught the attention of Hal Roach, who pointed her out to comedian Lloyd. He was looking for a leading lady to replace Bebe Daniels, and cast Davis in his comedy short From Hand to Mouth in 1919. It would be the first of fifteen films they would star in together.

On February 10, 1923, she married Lloyd. After their marriage, Lloyd announced that Davis would not appear in any more motion pictures. After much persuasion on Davis' part, and much grief, she received Lloyd's consent for her return to the screen in Too Many Crooks, which Lloyd produced through his production company. It was the only acting role she undertook after her marriage.

Personal life and death

She and Lloyd had three children including daughters Peggy and Gloria Lloyd and son, Harold Lloyd Jr. Davis was very active in Beverly Hills and as hostess at the Lloyds' estate, Greenacres, where she particularly enjoyed rose gardening. Her brother was actor Jack Davis of Our Gang, later a prominent Beverly Hills physician.

The couple remained very close for their entire life together. She found comfort in her strong friendships with actresses Marion Davies and Colleen Moore. She also developed a long-lasting friendship with Lloyd's assistant, Roy Brooks, who lived with them at Greenacres for over 40 years.

Davis died from a coronary following a series of strokes in Santa Monica, California in 1969.

Filmography
Mildred Davis and Harold Lloyd in a scene still for the 1921 silent comedy, Among Those Present
Year Title Role
1916 Marriage à la Carte
1917 What'll We Do with Uncle?
Fighting Mad Lily Sawyer
1918 Bud's Recruit Edith's sister
A Weaver of Dreams Margery Gordon
1919 All Wrong Betty Thompson
Start Something
All at Sea
Call for Mr. Caveman
Giving the Bride Away
Looking for Trouble
Tough Luck
From Hand to Mouth The Girl
1920 Red Hot Hottentotts
Why Go Home?
The Floor Below
His Royal Slyness Princess Florelle
Getting His Goat
Haunted Spooks The Girl
An Eastern Westerner The Girl
High and Dizzy The Girl
Get Out and Get Under The Girl
Number, Please? The Girl
1921 Humor Risk
Now or Never The Girl
Among Those Present Miss O'Brien, The Girl
I Do Wife
Never Weaken The Girl
A Sailor-Made Man The Girl
1922 Grandma's Boy His Girl
Doctor Jack The Sick-Little-Well-Girl
1923 Safety Last! The Girl
Temporary Marriage Hazel Manners
Condemned The Girl
1927 Too Many Crooks Ceia Mason

Notes
  1. The reference book Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory gives Davis's birth date as January 1, 1900.

References
  1. Vance, Jeffrey; Lloyd, Suzanne (2002). Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian. Harry N. Abrams. p. 52. ISBN 0-8109-1674-6.
  2. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  3. "A Full Life". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. September 12, 1955. p. 3. Retrieved 28 August 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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