Queenie Vassar
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28 October 1870
Queenie Vassar | |
|---|---|
 Vassar in 1900 | |
| Born | Cecilia McMahon 28 October 1870 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 11 September 1960 (aged 89) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1894–1944 |
| Spouses | Harry A. Kernell
(m. 1887; died 1893)William Lynch
(m. 1893, divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
Queenie Vassar (born Cecilia McMahon, 28 October 1870 – 11 September 1960) was a Scottish-born actress on stage and in films.
Queenie Vassar was born Cecilia McMahon in Glasgow. She was performing from childhood, and moved to the United States at age 13 as the protegee of impresario Tony Pastor.[1]
Career
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Vassar appeared on the Broadway stage in shows including The Passing Show (1894), Sister Mary (1900),[2] Belle of Bridgeport (1900), The Ladies Paradise (1901), The Toreador (1902), The Slim Princess (1911), The Lady of the Slipper (1912–1913), The Girl from Utah (1914–1915). Vassar's photo was used on cigarette cards and candy boxes, and in advertisements. She claimed to have been the first actress to ride a bicycle on the Broadway stage.[3]
Vassar emerged from retirement in 1939[4] to play older women in three films of the 1940s: Primrose Path (1940), Lady in a Jam (1942), None but the Lonely Heart (1944). Her work as Ginger Rogers's grandmother in Primrose Path is considered by one film scholar "one of the most stunningly naturalistic performances by any character actress on record... a wicked joy to behold."[5]
