Sally (Sally) Eilers is an American film actress. Her career began in the late 1920s, and her last film was released in 1950. Sally has never been a Hollywood star, playing mostly supporting roles in films.
Sally Eilers, unlike many other famous artists, did not dream of becoming an actress in her childhood. She got into the cinema almost by accident, since among her close friends and acquaintances there were many who linked their lives with art and creativity.
The girl had a very attractive appearance, which attracted the famous director and Hollywood producer Mack Sennat, who accidentally saw Sally in a cafe near the film studio. Sennat always spoke very warmly about Eilers, considering the young actress a "great discovery." Thanks to him, Sally got a role in her first film, which went to the box office in 1927.
Over the years of her film career, Sally managed to star in 56 full-length films, many of which did not become famous and popular outside the United States. Already at the end of the 1930s, the actress began to play mainly supporting roles, and at the end of the 1940s, her career completely faded away.
Biography facts
The future film actress was born in 1908. Her birthday: December 11. The artist's full name sounds like Dorothea Sally Eilers. Place of birth: New York, located in the United States.
Sally became the eldest child in the family. At the age of 2, she had a brother named Bud. As an adult, he, like his sister, tried to build a career in film and television, but the young man did not succeed in becoming a successful actor. The most famous films with the participation of Bud Eilers were "Bad Girl" (1931), where he starred with his older sister, and "Enter Madame!" (1935).
Unfortunately, there is no detailed information about who Bud and Dorothea's parents were, what they did, whether they had any connection with art or creativity. It is known that his father had American and Irish roots, and his mother was Jewish by birth.
In her childhood, Sally did not dream of going on stage, shining on Broadway or becoming famous all over the world as a talented Hollywood actress. However, the girl was still attracted by art. She really liked to dance, because Sally studied at a choreographic school. There she also developed her acting talent.
Another interest of the Eulers since childhood was foreign languages. During her life, she managed to learn German and French, fluently spoke these languages.
Having received a school education, Sally fell under the influence of her friends, among whom there were many who decided to connect their lives with the acting profession. Eilers, infected with a passion and interest in cinema, also wanted to get on the cinema screens. And here she was helped by a lucky chance. One day she was having lunch with her friend Jane Peters, who in the future became a fairly well-known actress, and at that moment the girl attracted the attention of the famous producer and director Mac Sennat. After meeting such a person, Sally opened the doors to the world of big cinema.
Sally knew very well that she had a very good-looking and memorable appearance. In addition, she always enjoyed being in the spotlight. In an interview, she said that she did not at all seek to hide her personal life from the public and the press. She liked what was being said about her, she was being discussed. And she was ready to change outwardly to further interest Hollywood directors and producers.
Sally's film career began at a time when the fashion for brunettes passed. In the 1930-1940s, actresses with light curls and certain facial features were in demand in Hollywood. Because of this, Sally, who was naturally dark, decided to bleach her hair in order to match the ideal that developed in Hollywood as much as possible.
Despite the fact that the actress did not start her career from the theatrical stage, as many artists of that time did, one day she nevertheless took part in the play. Sally Eilers starred in Kiss the Boys Goodbye. The play was staged at The Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts, USA.
Film career
The debut film for the artist was "Slightly Used", the picture was released in 1927. That same year, Sally starred in the film Red Mill, directed by Roscoe Arbuckle.
In 1928, Ehlers was awarded a contract with WAMPAS Baby Stars, which allowed her to receive more invitations to shoot. Over the next couple of years, the young artist appeared in such films as "Farewell Kiss", "Pure Martini", "Trial Marriage", "Mama - Connector of Hearts" (short film), "Children of Broadway", "Shows", " She Couldn't Say No, "Roaring Ranch."
In 1930, a rather successful film with Sally Eilers, The Infantrymen, went to the box office. The following year, the actress appeared in another notable film - "Hotel Trouble". During 1931, Sally starred in 7 more films, including Bad Girl. This film received an Oscar, and film critics still believe that the role in Bad Girl is the best work in Sally Eilers' career, moreover, the artist has embodied on the screen the image of the main character of the story - Dorothy Haley.
Another successful film with the already famous actress Sally Eilers was released in 1933. It was called the State Fair. But after the career of the artist began to fade. She was increasingly offered to play minor characters, and the films in which she appeared were not in great demand.
Among the films in which Sally starred before 1950, one can distinguish: "Carnival", "Remember Last Night?", "Wow", "Without Orders", "Speeches of the Devil", "Dangerous Patrol", "Condemned Women", "Full Confession", "Strange Illusions", "Kroner Scream". The final film in the artist's career was "Stage to Tucson", released in 1950.
Personal life and death
During her life, the artist was married 4 times. Her first husband was Hoot Gibson. They got married in 1930. However, after 3 years, the marriage was annulled.
In 1933, Sally became the wife of Harry Joe Brown. In this union, a child was born - a son who was named Harry Joe Brown Jr. The family broke up in 1943.
The artist's next husband was Howard Barney, however, this relationship ended in divorce and separation. Sally's last spouse was Hollingsworth Mort, whom she divorced in the 1960s.
In the last few years of her life, the artist suffered from numerous health problems. She died in early 1978 in California. Doctors named the cause of death as acute myocardial infarction. At that time, Eulers was 69 years old.
