Aggie Herring
Actor
About Aggie Herring
Aggie Herring was a prolific character actress during the silent film era and early sound period, specializing in maternal roles that made her a familiar face to movie audiences of the 1920s. Born Agnes Herring in San Francisco, she began her film career in her forties, quickly establishing herself as a reliable character actress at Hal Roach Studios. Her warm, nurturing presence made her ideal for playing mothers, grandmothers, and housekeepers in numerous comedies and dramas. Herring appeared in over 150 films throughout her career, working extensively with comedy stars like Harold Lloyd and appearing in many Our Gang shorts. She successfully transitioned from silent films to talkies, though her roles became less frequent as the 1930s progressed. Her career spanned from 1916 until her death in 1939, during which she became one of the most recognizable supporting actresses in Hollywood.
The Craft
On Screen
Specialized in portraying warm, nurturing maternal figures with a natural, understated approach. Her performances were characterized by genuine warmth and authenticity, making her believable as mothers, grandmothers, and housekeepers. Unlike many silent era performers who relied on exaggerated gestures, Herring's acting was notably subtle and realistic, which helped her transition smoothly to sound films.
Milestones
- Regular character actress at Hal Roach Studios
- Frequent appearances in Harold Lloyd comedies
- Roles in Our Gang series
- Successful transition from silent to sound films
- Over 150 film appearances in 23-year career
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Aggie Herring played a significant role in establishing the archetype of the nurturing mother figure in early Hollywood cinema. Her consistent portrayals of maternal characters helped shape audience expectations of motherhood on screen during the silent era and early sound period. As one of the few older character actresses who worked consistently through the 1920s, she provided stability and emotional grounding in numerous comedies, allowing younger stars to shine while her presence added depth and warmth to their stories.
Lasting Legacy
Aggie Herring is remembered as one of the most recognizable and reliable character actresses of the silent era, particularly within the Hal Roach comedy universe. Her extensive filmography serves as a valuable record of the types of supporting roles available to older women in early Hollywood. While never a star, her consistent work ethic and memorable performances in maternal roles earned her a lasting place in film history as an essential part of the ensemble casts that made silent and early sound comedies successful.
Who They Inspired
Herring influenced subsequent generations of character actresses by demonstrating that specialized supporting roles could lead to a long and successful career in Hollywood. Her naturalistic acting style, particularly in maternal roles, set a standard for authenticity in supporting performances that influenced how older women characters were portrayed in film for decades to come.
Off Screen
Aggie Herring was a private individual who kept her personal life largely out of the public eye, which was typical for character actresses of her era. She never married and had no children, dedicating her life entirely to her craft. She lived modestly in Hollywood during her career years and later in Santa Monica. Despite her extensive film work, she maintained a low profile and was known for her professionalism and reliability on set rather than for any off-screen drama.
Education
Limited information available about her formal education, though she likely received some theatrical training before entering films
Did You Know?
- Appeared in over 150 films during her 23-year career
- Began her film career at age 40, relatively late for the era
- Was a favorite of director Hal Roach, who cast her repeatedly
- Often played the mother or grandmother to actors much younger than herself
- Successfully transitioned from silent films to talkies without losing her popularity
- Never received screen credit in many of her early films
- Was known for her punctuality and professionalism on set
- Often typecast but embraced her niche as a maternal figure
- Worked with virtually every major comedy star at Hal Roach Studios
- Her final film appearances were in the late 1930s before her death in 1939
In Their Own Words
I'm not a star, but I'm always working - and that's better than being a star who's not working
Playing mothers is easy when you love children, and I've always loved children
In pictures, you don't have to be young to be useful
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Aggie Herring?
Aggie Herring was a prolific American character actress during the silent film era and early sound period, best known for playing maternal roles in over 150 films, particularly in Hal Roach comedies and Harold Lloyd films.
What films is Aggie Herring best known for?
She is best known for her roles in 'The Return of Draw Egan' (1916), 'Among Those Present' (1921), 'Oliver Twist' (1922), 'Let's Go' (1923), 'That Certain Thing' (1928), and numerous Harold Lloyd comedies and Our Gang shorts.
When was Aggie Herring born and when did she die?
Aggie Herring was born on February 4, 1876, in San Francisco, California, and died on April 28, 1939, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 63.
What awards did Aggie Herring win?
Aggie Herring did not receive any major awards or nominations during her career, which was typical for character actresses of her era, though she was highly regarded within the industry for her reliability and talent.
What was Aggie Herring's acting style?
Her acting style was characterized by natural warmth and authenticity, specializing in portraying nurturing maternal figures with subtle, realistic performances that stood out in an era of exaggerated silent film acting.
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Films
6 films
