Mildred Hillary Davis (February 22, 1901August 18, 1969) was an American actress who appeared in fifteen of Harold Lloyd's classic silent comedies and eventually married him.
Early life and career Midlred Davis was daughter of Howard Beckett Davis, she was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and educated at the Friends School in Philadelphia. Her younger brother, thirteen years her junior, was child actor Jack Davis, who appeared in Hal Roach's Our Gang series in the 1920s.
After spending several years studying, she traveled to Los Angeles in the hopes of securing a role in a film. After appearing in several small roles, she caught the attention of Hal Roach, who pointed her out to comedian Lloyd. Lloyd was looking for a leading lady to replace Bebe Daniels, and cast Davis in his comedy short From Hand to Mouth in 1919. It would be the first of fifteen films they would star in together.
Davis retired from acting in 1923. After much persuasion by Davis (and much grief) she received Lloyd's consent for her return to the screen in Too Many Crooks, which Lloyd produced through his production company.
Personal life On February 10, 1923, Davis married film star Harold Lloyd and shortly thereafter retired from acting in films. Lloyd began construction on a home on his 14-acre Beverly Hills estate that year. The couple moved to a mansion in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, in 1929.
Davis and Lloyd had two children together: Gloria Lloyd (1924–2012) and Harold Clayton Lloyd Jr. (1931–1971). They also adopted Gloria Freeman (1924–1986) in September 1930, whom they renamed Marjorie Elizabeth Lloyd but was known as Peggy for most of her life.
Davis and Lloyd remained married for 46 years, until Davis' death.
Death On August 18, 1969, following a period of poor health, Davis suffered a heart attack and died in St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.
Filmography
YearTitleRole1916Marriage à la Carte1917What'll We Do with Uncle? Fighting Mad Lily Sawyer 1918Bud's RecruitEdith's sister A Weaver of DreamsMargery Gordon 1919All WrongBetty Thompson Start SomethingAll at SeaCall for Mr. CavemanGiving the Bride Away Looking for TroubleTough LuckFrom Hand to MouthThe Girl1920Red Hot HottentottsWhy Go Home?The Floor BelowHis Royal SlynessPrincess Florelle Getting His GoatHaunted SpooksThe GirlAn Eastern WesternerThe Girl High and DizzyThe GirlGet Out and Get UnderThe GirlNumber, Please?The Girl1921Humor RiskNow or NeverThe GirlAmong Those PresentMiss O'Brien, The Girl I DoWife Never WeakenThe GirlA Sailor-Made ManThe Girl 1922Grandma's BoyHis Girl Dr. JackThe Sick-Little-Well-Girl 1923Safety Last!The GirlTemporary MarriageHazel Manners CondemnedThe Girl 1927Too Many CrooksCeia Mason
References
External links
Mildred Davis at Virtual History