Effie Shannon (May 13, 1867 – July 24, 1954) was an American stage and silent screen actress.
Biography Shannon had a 60-year career as starring performer and later character actress. She began as a child actor appearing with John McCullough and later in 1886 with Robert B. Mantell. She was one of the founding members of the Twelfth Night Club for female actresses in 1891 (along with Alice Fisher, Lelena Fisher and Maida Craigen).
Her partner and/or husband was Herbert Kelcey who died in 1917. They appeared in numerous plays as a team predating by a generation the famous Lunt and Fontanne as a great Broadway romantic team. Effie's sister, Winona Shannon (1874-1950) was also an actress and regularly performed in the Herbert Kelcey and Effie Shannon Company. In 1914, Effie appeared in her first silent film along with Kelcey. They made one more film together in 1916 before his 1917 death. Shannon continued to appear in silent films and early sound films until 1932 while still appearing on Broadway. One of her later roles was in a revival of Arsenic and Old Lace.Effie Shannon at the IBDB.com databaseWho Was Who in the Theatre 1912-1976, abridgement of original annual versions by John Parker; 1976 version published by Gale Research
Shannon appeared at the legendary Elitch Theatre as part of the Summer stock cast in 1900 and 1929.
On September 16, 1932 Peg Entwhistle, wearing a dress borrowed from Shannon, jumped to her death from the top of the Hollywoodland sign.Lamparski, p. 48.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1914 After the Ball Louise Tate Lost film1916 The Sphinx The Sphinx Lost film 1918 Her Boy Helen Morrison Lost film Ashes of Love Louise Mordyke Incomplete film1919 The Common Cause Belgium (prologue) Lost film1921 Mama's Affair Mrs. Orrin 1922 Sure Fire Flint Mrs. De Lanni Lost film The Man Who Played God Mildred Arden The Secrets of Paris Madame Ferrand Lost film 1923 The Tie That Binds Mrs. Mills Lost film Jacqueline Her Mother Lost film Bright Lights of Broadway Mrs. Grimm, Landlady 1924 Roulette Mrs. Marineaux Lost film Damaged Hearts His Wife Lost film The Side Show of Life Lady Verity-Stewart Sinners In Heaven Mrs. Stockley Lost film Greater Than Marriage Mother 1925 Soul-Fire Mrs. Howard Fane - Eric's Mother Sally of the Sawdust Mrs. Foster Wandering Fires Mrs. Satorius The New Commandment Marquise de la Salle Lost film Pearl of Love Mrs. Kittridge Lost film1926 The Highbinders Mrs. James Cortright Lost film1929 Highlowbrow Short1932 The Wiser Sex Mrs. Hughes
References
Sources Lamparski, R. (1981) Lamparsaki's Hidden Hollywood, Simon & Schuster: New York. .
External links
Effie Shannon at IBDB Effie Shannon portrait gallery at the NY Public Library, Billy Rose Collection stage actress Effie Shannon University of Washington, Sayre Collection Portraits of Effie Shannon, University of Louisville, Macauley Theatre Collection, #1 , #2