Mildred Reardon
Actor
About Mildred Reardon
Mildred Reardon was an American actress who had a brief but notable appearance during the silent film era of Hollywood. Her most significant and perhaps only credited role was in Cecil B. DeMille's 1919 silent comedy-drama 'Male and Female,' starring Gloria Swanson and Thomas Meighan. The film was an adaptation of James M. Barrie's play 'The Admirable Crichton' and was one of DeMille's most successful early productions. Reardon appeared in a supporting capacity during a period when Hollywood was transitioning from short films to feature-length productions. Her career appears to have been extremely brief, with her entire known filmography spanning only the year 1919. Like many supporting players of the silent era, she likely disappeared from the film industry as quickly as she emerged, possibly due to the challenges of maintaining a career in the rapidly evolving Hollywood studio system or personal life choices.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in Cecil B. DeMille's 'Male and Female' (1919)
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Mildred Reardon's contribution to cinema represents the countless supporting actors who helped build the foundation of Hollywood during its formative years. While her individual impact was minimal due to her brief career, her participation in 'Male and Female' places her within the context of early Hollywood's transition to feature films and the establishment of the studio system. Her role, however small, was part of a significant production that helped establish Cecil B. DeMille as a major director and showcased Gloria Swanson's rising star power.
Lasting Legacy
Mildred Reardon's legacy is primarily that of a representative figure from the vast pool of anonymous supporting actors who populated early Hollywood films. Her name survives mainly through film credits and cinema databases, serving as a reminder of the thousands of performers who contributed to the silent film era but whose stories have been largely lost to history. Her appearance in a notable DeMille production ensures her place in film historical records, however marginal.
Who They Inspired
Due to her extremely brief career and limited filmography, there is no documented evidence of Mildred Reardon influencing other actors or directors. Her influence is limited to being part of the ensemble that contributed to early Hollywood productions during the silent era.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Mildred Reardon's personal life, which is typical for many supporting actors from the silent era who had brief careers and left behind minimal documentation.
Did You Know?
- Mildred Reardon's entire known film career consists of a single year - 1919
- She appeared in 'Male and Female,' which was one of Cecil B. DeMille's early successful features
- The film she appeared in was an adaptation of a play by J.M. Barrie, the author of 'Peter Pan'
- 'Male and Female' featured the famous scene where Gloria Swanson is photographed with a lion
- Like many silent era supporting players, biographical information about her is extremely scarce
- The film was produced by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, which would later become Paramount Pictures
- Her career spanned the transitional period when Hollywood was establishing the star system
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mildred Reardon?
Mildred Reardon was an American actress from the silent film era who appeared in at least one film, Cecil B. DeMille's 'Male and Female' in 1919. Her career was extremely brief, spanning only that single year, and very little biographical information about her survives today.
What films is Mildred Reardon best known for?
Mildred Reardon is known primarily for her appearance in 'Male and Female' (1919), a silent comedy-drama directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Gloria Swanson and Thomas Meighan. This appears to be her only credited film role.
When was Mildred Reardon born and when did she die?
Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Mildred Reardon are not available in historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from the silent era who had brief careers.
What awards did Mildred Reardon win?
There are no records of Mildred Reardon receiving any major awards or nominations during her brief film career in 1919. Awards ceremonies were not as established during the early silent era as they would later become.
What was Mildred Reardon's acting style?
Due to the limited documentation of her career and the fact that her films are from the silent era, there is little specific information available about Mildred Reardon's particular acting style or techniques.
Learn More
Films
1 film
