Ethel Clayton
Actor
About Ethel Clayton
Ethel Clayton was a prominent American actress who became one of the most celebrated stars of the silent film era. Born Ethel Gertrude Blum in Champaign, Illinois, she began her professional journey in the chorus of the Chicago Opera House before honing her craft with various stock theater companies. Her transition to the screen occurred in 1909 with the short film 'Justified,' and she quickly rose to stardom due to her striking blonde beauty, which many contemporary critics compared to the famous 'Gibson Girl' drawings. Throughout the 1910s and early 1920s, she was a top box-office draw for studios like Lubin and Paramount, often portraying sophisticated and resilient heroines. One of her most significant early works was the 1913 disaster film 'When the Earth Trembled,' which depicted the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Although the advent of sound films in the late 1920s significantly impacted her status as a leading lady, Clayton continued to work in the industry, taking on smaller character roles until her final retirement in 1948.
The Craft
On Screen
Clayton was known for her expressive, emotive acting style that suited the dramatic requirements of silent cinema. Her performances were often characterized by a refined grace and a 'Gibson Girl' aesthetic, projecting an image of the ideal American woman of the era. She was equally adept at musical theater, though her singing talents were largely untapped by the silent medium.
Milestones
- Starred in 'When the Earth Trembled' (1913), one of the first major disaster films depicting the San Francisco earthquake.
- Became a major star for the Lubin Manufacturing Company in the early 1910s.
- Signed a lucrative contract with Paramount Pictures (Famous Players-Lasky) during the peak of her career.
- Appeared in the 'Ziegfeld Follies of 1911' on Broadway.
- Successfully transitioned from silent shorts to feature-length films, amassing over 180 screen credits.
- Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (Motion Pictures, 1960)
Special Recognition
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6936 Hollywood Boulevard.
- Recognized as one of the top money-earning actresses of the silent era alongside Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson.
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ethel Clayton served as a visual archetype for the 'Gibson Girl' ideal in early cinema, influencing fashion and beauty standards for American women in the 1910s. Her involvement in 'When the Earth Trembled' helped pioneer the disaster film genre, demonstrating the medium's power to recreate historical events with high production values. As one of the highest-paid actresses of her time, she helped establish the 'star system' that would define Hollywood's Golden Age.
Lasting Legacy
Clayton's legacy is preserved through her extensive filmography and her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Though many of her silent films were lost for decades, the 2015 restoration of 'When the Earth Trembled' by the EYE Film Institute and the San Francisco Silent Film Festival brought renewed academic interest to her career. She remains a key figure in the history of the Lubin and Paramount studios, representing the transition of film from short novelties to sophisticated feature-length narratives.
Who They Inspired
Her career path from stage to screen became a blueprint for many actors of the 1920s. She influenced contemporaries with her ability to maintain a high-profile career across multiple studios, proving the longevity possible for actresses who could master both dramatic and comedic roles.
Off Screen
Ethel Clayton's personal life was marked by both professional success and personal tragedy. She was first married to actor and director Joseph Kaufman in 1914; however, he tragically died during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. She later married actor Ian Keith in 1928, but the marriage was tumultuous, leading to two marriages and two divorces between the same couple. Clayton cited Keith's excessive drinking and cruelty in her divorce filings. In her later years, she faced financial difficulties and a legal battle over a collection of valuable pearls with a former business partner.
Education
Attended St. Elizabeth's school in Chicago, Illinois.
Family
- Joseph Kaufman (1914-1918; his death)
- Ian Keith (1928-1931; divorced)
Did You Know?
- She nearly died on the set of 'When the Earth Trembled' when a heavy chandelier fell on her during the earthquake sequence.
- She was often called the 'Gibson Girl of the Screen' due to her resemblance to Charles Dana Gibson's famous illustrations.
- In 1931, she sued a business partner over 316 pearls valued at $20,000 that were part of a failed cosmetics business deal.
- She appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1911, showcasing a singing and dancing talent that her silent films could not capture.
- After retiring from major roles, she worked as an extra and bit-part player in films like 'The Perils of Pauline' (1947) just to stay active in the industry.
- She lived with her brother, Donald Clayton Blum, in Thousand Oaks after her retirement.
In Their Own Words
I don't believe that one can really and truly succeed in pictures nowadays without stage experience. That's the finishing school for the Motion Picture field.
I like pictures – indeed, I do! But the work of adapting myself to the screenplay, of almost building my ideas of art anew, was very hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ethel Clayton?
Ethel Clayton was a major American silent film star known for her blonde beauty and dramatic range. She was one of the top-earning actresses of the 1910s and 1920s, appearing in over 180 films.
What films is Ethel Clayton best known for?
She is most famous for the 1913 disaster epic 'When the Earth Trembled,' as well as 'The Fortune Hunter' (1914) and 'The Woman Beneath' (1917).
When was Ethel Clayton born and when did she die?
She was born on November 8, 1882, in Champaign, Illinois, and passed away on June 6, 1966, in Oxnard, California.
What awards did Ethel Clayton win?
While she predated the Academy Awards' peak years, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for her significant contributions to the motion picture industry.
What was Ethel Clayton's acting style?
She was known for a refined, expressive style that blended her stage training with the visual demands of silent film, often portraying elegant and strong-willed women.
Did Ethel Clayton have any children?
No, Ethel Clayton did not have any children from either of her marriages.
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Films
1 film
