May Foster
Actor
About May Foster
May Foster was an American actress who appeared during the transition from silent films to early talkies in the late 1920s. Her career was exceptionally brief, spanning only the year 1928, making her one of the many transient performers of early Hollywood who left little trace in film history. She is known to have appeared in Josef von Sternberg's acclaimed silent drama 'The Docks of New York,' though her role was likely minor given her limited filmography. Like many actors of the silent era, Foster's career was cut short by the advent of sound films, which dramatically changed the industry and eliminated many performers who could not adapt to the new medium. Beyond her single known film credit, little documentation exists about her life or career trajectory. She represents the countless anonymous faces who populated early cinema but whose stories have been largely lost to time.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in Josef von Sternberg's 'The Docks of New York' (1928)
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
May Foster's cultural impact is minimal due to her extremely brief career, but she represents the thousands of anonymous performers who populated early Hollywood films. Her appearance in 'The Docks of New York' places her within the context of late silent cinema, a transitional period that saw the industry moving toward sound. While not a significant figure in film history, she is part of the fabric of early American cinema, representing the working actors who filled supporting roles and background scenes during Hollywood's formative years.
Lasting Legacy
May Foster's legacy is essentially nonexistent in mainstream film history due to her limited career and lack of documentation. She exists only as a name in film credits, representing the vast number of early film performers whose contributions to cinema have been forgotten. Her story illustrates how many actors from the silent era have been lost to history, leaving only brief traces in film archives and production records.
Who They Inspired
Given her brief career and minor status in the film industry, May Foster had no known influence on other actors or filmmakers. She appears to have been a transient figure in early Hollywood, typical of many performers who appeared in only one or two films before leaving the industry entirely.
Off Screen
Very little is known about May Foster's personal life, which is common for minor actors from the silent era who left minimal historical records. Like many bit players and extras from early Hollywood, her story has been largely lost to time, with no surviving documentation about her family, relationships, or life outside of her brief film appearance.
Did You Know?
- Her entire known film career lasted only one year - 1928
- She appeared in 'The Docks of New York' during the final years of the silent era
- The film she appeared in was directed by Josef von Sternberg, who would later become famous for his work with Marlene Dietrich
- Like many silent era actors, her career ended around the time sound films became dominant
- No other film credits or biographical information about her have survived in film archives
- She represents one of the countless anonymous performers who populated early Hollywood films
- Her name appears in production records but no contemporary interviews or publicity materials about her exist
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was May Foster?
May Foster was an American actress who had an extremely brief career in 1928, appearing only in Josef von Sternberg's silent film 'The Docks of New York.' She represents one of the many anonymous performers from early Hollywood whose stories have been largely lost to history.
What films is May Foster best known for?
May Foster is known only for her appearance in 'The Docks of New York' (1928), a silent drama directed by Josef von Sternberg. This appears to be her only film credit, as her career lasted only one year.
When was May Foster born and when did she die?
Unfortunately, no birth or death dates for May Foster are available in historical records, which is common for minor actors from the silent era. Like many early film performers, basic biographical information about her has not survived.
What awards did May Foster win?
May Foster did not receive any known awards or nominations during her brief career. As a minor performer in only one film, she would not have been considered for major industry recognition.
What was May Foster's acting style?
No information exists about May Foster's specific acting style, as her role in 'The Docks of New York' was likely minor and no contemporary reviews or interviews about her performance have survived. Like many bit players from the era, her contribution to the film remains undocumented.
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Films
1 film
