Bessie Love
Acting
Bessie Love (born Juanita Horton, September 10, 1898 - April 26, 1986) became one of the most recognizable faces of early American cinema. After her family moved to Los Angeles, she was sent to Biograph Studios, where legendary director D.W. Griffith noticed her talent and cast her in several films, including Intolerance (1916). During the silent era, she gained popularity for her lively, wholesome screen presence and worked with major stars such as Douglas Fairbanks. Her career soared in the 1920s, and she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star in 1922, marking her as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actresses. Love made a successful transition to sound films—something many silent stars struggled with. Her performance as Hank Mahoney in The Broadway Melody (1929) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, cementing her place in film history. In the 1930s, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she continued acting in film, theatre, radio, and later television. Her career ultimately spanned from 1915 to 1983, making her one of the longest‑working performers of her generation. She died on April 26, 1986, in London at age 87.
Known for
Acting134
movieBe Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché
2018
Self (archive footage)
Gareth Hughes
2000
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Hunger
1983
Lillybelle
movieReds
1981
Mrs. Partlow
movieRagtime
1981
Old Lady - T.O.C.
tvHollywood
1980
Self
tvEdward and Mrs Simpson
1978
Lady Cunard
movieEdward & Mrs. Simpson
1978
Lady Cunard
movieGulliver's Travels
1977
(voice)
movieThe Ritz
1976
Maurine
movieVampyres
1974
American Lady
movieMousey
1974
Mrs. Richardson
movieCatlow
1971
Mrs. Frost
movieSunday Bloody Sunday
1971
Answering Service Lady
movieOn Her Majesty's Secret Service
1969
Baccarat Player (uncredited)
movieIsadora
1968
Mrs. Duncan
movieI'll Never Forget What's'isname
1967
American tourist (uncredited)
moviePromise Her Anything
1966
Pet Shop Customer
movieThe Wild Affair
1965
Marjorie's Mother
The Pistol
1965
Martha Burroughs
movieI Think They Call Him John
1964
Narrator (voice)
Story Parade
1964
Mrs. Arquette
movieChildren of the Damned
1964
Mrs. Robbin
tvMan of the World
1962
Mrs Van Kempson
movieToo Young to Love
1960
Mrs. Busch
International Detective
1959
Marta Steibel / Mrs. Morgan
movieNowhere to Go
1958
Harriet P. Jefferson
movieNext to No Time
1958
Becky Wiener
movieThe Story of Esther Costello
1957
Art Gallery Customer
movieTouch and Go
1955
Mrs Baxter
tvITV Play of the Week
1955
Mrs Strong
movieThe Barefoot Contessa
1954
Mrs. Eubanks
movieThe Weak and the Wicked
1954
Prisoner
movieThe Magic Box
1952
Bride's Mother in Wedding Group
movieNo Highway in the Sky
1951
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
movieJourney Together
1945
Mrs. Mary McWilliams
movieAtlantic Ferry
1941
Begonia Baggot
movieMorals for Women
1931
Helen Hutson
movieConspiracy
1930
Margaret Holt
movieChasing Rainbows
1930
Carlie Seymour
movieThe Girl in the Show
1929
Hattie Hartley
movieThe Idle Rich
1929
Helen Thayer
movieThe Broadway Melody
1929
Harriet 'Hank' Mahoney
movieAnybody Here Seen Kelly?
1928
Mitzi Lavelle
movieSally of the Scandals
1928
Sally Rand
movieThe Matinee Idol
1928
Ginger Bolivar
movieDress Parade
1927
Janet Cleghorne
movieA Harp in Hock
1927
Nora Banks
movieRubber Tires
1927
Mary Ellen Stack
movieThe American
1927
Jane Wilton
movieYoung April
1926
Victoria
movieLovey Mary
1926
Lovey Mary
movieThe King On Main Street
1925
Mary Young
movieA Son of His Father
1925
Nora Shea
movieSoul-Fire
1925
Teita
movieThe Lost World
1925
Paula White
movieSundown
1924
Ellen Crawley
movieDynamite Smith
1924
Violet
movieThe Silent Watcher
1924
Mary, his wife
movieThose Who Dance
1924
Veda Anargas
movieThe Woman on the Jury
1924
Grace Pierce
movieTorment
1924
Marie
movieSlave of Desire
1923
Pauline Gaudin
movieSt. Elmo
1923
Edna Earle
movieThe Eternal Three
1923
Hilda Gray
movieHuman Wreckage
1923
Mary Finnegan
movieMary of the Movies
1923
Herself (uncredited)
movieThe Purple Dawn
1923
Mui Far
movieSouls for Sale
1923
Self - Celebrity Actress (uncredited)
movieThe Ghost Patrol
1923
Effie Kugler
Three Who Paid
1923
John Caspar / Virginia Cartwright
movieDeserted at the Altar
1922
Anna Moore (The Country Girl)
movieThe Village Blacksmith
1922
Rosemary Martin
Bulldog Courage
1922
Gloria Phillips
movieForget Me Not
1922
Ann, The Girl
movieThe Vermilion Pencil
1922
Hyacinth
movieThe Sea Lion
1921
Blossom Nelson
movieThe Honor of Rameriz
1921
The Geologist's Wife
movieThe Midlanders
1920
Aurelie Lindstrom
movieBonnie May
1920
Bonnie May
moviePegeen
1920
Pegeen O'Neill
movieA Fighting Colleen
1919
Alannah Malone
movieOver the Garden Wall
1919
Peggy Gordon
movieCupid Forecloses
1919
Geraldine Farleigh
movieThe Little Boss
1919
Peggy Winston (The Little Boss)
A Yankee Princess
1919
Patsy O'Reilly
movieThe Wishing Ring Man
1919
Joy Havenith
movieThe Enchanted Barn
1919
Shirley Hollister
movieThe Dawn of Understanding
1918
Sue Prescott
movieA Little Sister of Everybody
1918
Celeste Janvier
movieHow Could You, Caroline?
1918
Caroline Rogers
moviePolly Ann
1917
Polly Ann
movieWee Lady Betty
1917
Wee Lady Betty
movieThe Sawdust Ring
1917
Janet Magie
movieA Daughter of the Poor
1917
Rose Eastman
movieA Sister of Six
1916
Prudence
movieIntolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
1916
The Bride of Cana (Judean Story)
Hell-to-Pay Austin
1916
Briar Rose Dawson
Stranded
1916
The Girl
movieThe Mystery of the Leaping Fish
1916
The Little Fish Blower
movieThe Aryan
1916
Mary Jane Garth
Acquitted
1916
Helen Carter