Mary Astor

Mary Astor (May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was an American actress.

Related Topics:
May 3 - 1906 - September 25 - 1987 - American - Actress

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She was born Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke in Quincy, Illinois, the only child of Otto Ludwig Langhanke (October 2, 1871-February 3, 1943) and Helen Marie Vasconcellos (April 19, 1881-January 18, 1947).

Related Topics:
Quincy - Illinois - October 2 - 1871 - February 3 - 1943 - April 19 - 1881 - January 18 - 1947

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Her father, who was born in Berlin, immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1891 and became a naturalized citizen; her mother was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, of Portuguese and Irish extraction. They married August 3, 1904 in Lyons, Kansas. Otto was a teacher of German at Quincy High School until the U.S. entered World War I. He then began doing light farming. Helen, who had always wanted to be an actress, began teaching drama and elocution.

Related Topics:
Berlin - United States - Germany - 1891 - Naturalized - Citizen - Jacksonville, Illinois - Portuguese - Irish - August 3 - 1904 - Lyons, Kansas - German - World War I

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Lucile was homeschooled in academics and taught to play the piano by her father, who insisted she practice daily. In 1919, she sent a photograph of herself to a beauty contest in Motion Picture Magazine and became a finalist. Her father then moved the family to Chicago, where he took a position teaching German in public schools there. Lucile took drama lessons and appeared in various amateur stage plays.

Related Topics:
1919 - Beauty contest - Chicago - Stage - Plays

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The following year, she sent another photograph to the magazine and again became a finalist, this time being named runner-up in the national contest. Her father then moved the family to New York, in order for his pretty daughter to become an actress in motion pictures. He managed all her affairs from September 1920 to June 1930.

Related Topics:
New York - Motion pictures - 1920 - 1930

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A Manhattan photographer, Charles Albin, saw a photograph and asked the young girl with haunting eyes and long auburn hair, whose nickname was "Rusty," to pose for him. The Albin photographs were seen by Harry Durant of Famous Players-Lasky and Lucile was signed to a six-month contract with Paramount. Her name was changed to Mary Astor during a conference between studio chief Jesse Lasky, gossip columnist Louella Parsons, and producer Walter Wanger.

Related Topics:
Manhattan - Nickname - Famous Players-Lasky - Contract - Paramount - Studio - Jesse Lasky - Gossip columnist - Louella Parsons - Producer - Walter Wanger

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