Dorothy Burgess
| Dorothy Burgess | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
March 4, 1907 Los Angeles, United States |
| Died | August 21, 1961 (aged 54) Riverside, California, United States |
| Resting place | Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside, California |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1926–1943 |
Dorothy Burgess (March 4, 1907 – August 20, 1961) was a stage and motion picture actress from Los Angeles.
She was a niece of Fay Bainter. On her father's side she was related to David C. Montgomery of Montgomery and Stone. Her grandfather was Henry A. Burgess, Sr. He came to Los Angeles in 1893, establishing a business at Terminal Island. His home was at 637 West 41st Place. He was born in England. Her dad was H.A. (Burgie) Burgess, a pioneer air transport executive. For a decade he was an assistant to Harris M. (Pop) Hanshue, who founded Western Air Express (Western Airlines), and was its first president. Burgess studied drawing, painting, and sculpture at Mrs. Dow's School in Briarcliff Manor, New York. Her talent in the three artistic disciplines was evident in the creative objects which decorated her Hollywood apartment. Burgess and her mother, Grace, resided in a home in Malibu, California, in 1932.
Burgess made her stage debut in a walk-on role in support of her mother's sister, Bainter. She first came to light as a specialty dancer in The Music Box Revue. Burgess played a 17-year-old in the comedy, The Adorable Liar, which was staged at the 49th Street Theater in August 1926. It was her first appearance in New York City. Burgess was heralded as a combination of Eleonora Duse, Maude Adams, Helen Hayes, Fanny Janauschek, Katharine Cornell, and, possibly, Mrs. Fiske. A reviewer commented that she proved an authentic success, especially considering the material she was given.
Her knowledge of the stage was proficient and she combined this with ample charm and attractiveness. Burgess was co-featured in a stock company managed by George Cukor and George Kondolf at the Lyceum Theatre in Rochester, New York, during the summer of 1928. Her co-star was Henry Hull. The actors opened in Broadway on April 30. She learned about being a character actor in stock, along with adapting her voice and mannerisms to each new role.
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