Gertrude Norman (May 19, 1848[1] or 1851[2] – July 20, 1943), was an English/American theater and Hollywood silent film actress. She is credited with being in 44 films between 1911 and 1936. She was also a screenwriter and director for early silent films. She also appeared in four films with sound, making her one of the oldest actresses to perform during the silent and sound eras.[3]

Gertrude Norman
Born(1851-05-19)19 May 1851
Died20 July 1943(1943-07-20) (aged 95)
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery
OccupationAmerican silent film actress
Years active1911-1936

Norman was born in London, England. One of her early films from 1910 was rediscovered in a sea chest in the 2000s. She played a "mother" role in The Birth of a Nation.[4] By the time Norman made her first "talkie" she was already in her 80s and played the part of a grandmother.

Gertrude Norman and Robert Harron in The Tender Hearted Boy

She is not to be confused with Gertrude "Toto" Norman (c. 1880–1961), an actress of the same time period as well as secretary and companion to the American opera singer Marcia Van Dresser, or with a children's book author Gertrude Norman.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1911 The Chief's Talisman Short
1911 Lucia's Broken Romance The Old Woman Short
1911 His Baby's Doll The Old Woman Short
1911 The Coward (I) Jim's Mother Short
1912 The Lord and the Peasant Short
1912 The Harbinger of Peace Farmer Wilson's Unmarried Daughter Short
1912 The Informer Short
1913 The Tender Hearted Boy Miser Short
1914 The Unwelcome Mrs. Hatch Old Agnes
1914 One of Millions Mother Kubelow
1915 The Foundling Scenes Deleted
1915 May Blossom Aunt Deborah
1915 Fanchon the Cricket Old Fadette
1915 The Pretty Sister of Jose Their Grandmother
1915 A Girl of Yesterday Aunt Angela
1916 Molly Make-Believe Grandmother Meredith
1916 The Feud Girl Sue Bassett
1916 The Reward of Patience Mother Osborn
1917 Heart's Desire Mother Mathilde
1917 The Adopted Son Mrs. Conover
1917 Persuasive Peggy Peggy's Mother
1918 The Studio Girl Mrs. Daw
1918 The Unbeliever Marianne Marnholm
1919 An Innocent Adventuress Mrs. Cribbley
1919 Widow by Proxy Sophronia Pennington
1919 Strictly Confidential Elder Aunt
1920 The Brand of Lopez Marianna
1921 Partners of the Tide Grandma Baker
1921 Beach of Dreams La Comtesse de Warens
1921 A Voice in the Dark Mrs. Lydiard
1921 Little Italy Anna
1922 A Game Chicken Señora Juanita Martinez
1924 The Right of the Strongest Aunt Millie Davis
1924 The Age of Innocence
1927 The King of Kings Undetermined Role Uncredited
1929 The Greene Murder Case Mrs. Tobias Greene
1932 If I Had a Million Idylwood Resident Uncredited
1932 The Sign of the Cross Christian Uncredited
1933 He Learned About Women Suzette
1933 Cradle Song Tornero No. 1
1934 The Trumpet Blows Grandma Albrentez
1935 The Crusades Uncredited
1936 The Plainsman Uncredited

References

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  1. ^ Nissen, Axel (April 12, 2007). Actresses of a Certain Character: Forty Familiar Hollywood Faces from the Thirties to the Fifties. McFarland. ISBN 9780786427468 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (May 1, 2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. ISBN 9780786409839 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Nissen, Axel (August 1, 2016). Accustomed to Her Face: Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood. McFarland. ISBN 9781476626062 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Watch That Make Up...Gertrude Norman shouldn't have much trouble..." Getty Images.
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