May Hopkins

Actor

Active: 1916

About May Hopkins

May Hopkins was an American actress who worked during the silent film era, appearing briefly in 1916. Her most notable role was in the serial film 'Beatrice Fairfax,' which was based on the popular advice column of the same name. The film was produced by the Wharton Studios and directed by brothers Leopold and Theodore Wharton. 'Beatrice Fairfax' was one of the early examples of serialized storytelling in American cinema, consisting of multiple chapters released weekly. Hopkins appeared alongside Grace Darmond, who played the titular character. Unfortunately, her career in motion pictures appears to have been extremely brief, with no other documented film credits beyond her work in 1916. Like many supporting players from this early period of cinema, detailed biographical information about her life and career remains scarce.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in the serial film 'Beatrice Fairfax' (1916)

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • Beatrice Fairfax (1916)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Leopold Wharton
  • Theodore Wharton
  • Grace Darmond

Studios

  • Wharton Studios

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

May Hopkins represents the countless supporting actors who populated the early days of American cinema but whose contributions have been largely lost to history. Her appearance in 'Beatrice Fairfax' places her within an important transitional period in film history when serialized storytelling was becoming increasingly popular. While her individual impact was minimal, she was part of the foundation of the film industry that would later become Hollywood's golden age.

Lasting Legacy

May Hopkins' legacy is primarily that of a representative figure from the silent era's vast pool of working actors who appeared in early films but did not achieve lasting fame. Her brief appearance in 'Beatrice Fairfax' serves as a reminder of the thousands of performers who contributed to early cinema but whose stories remain largely untold. She exemplifies the transient nature of early film careers, particularly for supporting players in the rapidly evolving industry of the 1910s.

Who They Inspired

Given her extremely brief career and limited filmography, there is no documented evidence of May Hopkins influencing other actors or directors. Her influence, if any, would have been limited to her immediate circle during the production of 'Beatrice Fairfax' in 1916.

Off Screen

Very little is known about May Hopkins' personal life, as was common for many supporting actors in the silent era who did not achieve lasting fame. Her brief film career suggests she may have been either a stage actress who briefly tried films, or someone who left the entertainment industry shortly after entering it.

Did You Know?

  • May Hopkins' entire known film career consisted of a single year - 1916
  • She appeared in 'Beatrice Fairfax,' which was based on America's first advice column
  • The film she appeared in was a serial released in 15 weekly chapters
  • Beatrice Fairfax was played by Grace Darmond, a more prominent actress of the era
  • The film was produced by Wharton Studios in Ithaca, New York
  • Like many silent era actors, most of her personal details have been lost to history
  • Her role was likely a supporting or bit part given the limited documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was May Hopkins?

May Hopkins was an American actress who worked briefly during the silent film era in 1916. She is known primarily for her appearance in the serial film 'Beatrice Fairfax,' which was based on the popular advice column.

What films is May Hopkins best known for?

May Hopkins is known for her appearance in 'Beatrice Fairfax' (1916), a serial film consisting of 15 chapters. This appears to be her only documented film credit.

When was May Hopkins born and when did she die?

The birth and death dates of May Hopkins are not documented in available historical records, which was common for many supporting actors from the silent era who did not achieve lasting fame.

What awards did May Hopkins win?

There are no records of May Hopkins receiving any awards or honors for her work in film, which was typical for most supporting actors in the early silent film period.

What was May Hopkins' acting style?

There is no documented information about May Hopkins' specific acting style, as her career was extremely brief and she appeared only in supporting roles during the early silent film era.

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Films

1 film