Florence LaBadie
| Florence La Badie | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
April 27, 1888 New York City, USA |
| Died | October 13, 1917 (aged 29) Ossining, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Automobile accident |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1909–1917 |
Florence La Badie /ˌlɑːbɑːˈdiː/ (April 27, 1888 – October 13, 1917) was an American actress in the early days of the silent film era. Though little known today, she was a major star between 1911 and 1917. Her career was at its height when she died at age 29 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Florence La Badie was one of the most important and popular actresses of the early motion picture era. She appeared in 30 films for Biograph starting in 1909 and 166 silent films from 1911 through 1917 for the Thanhouser studio in New Rochelle, New York. A daredevil at heart, she was known as “Fearless Flo” for taking risks and performed many of her own stunts. She was a frequent subject for articles and letters in fan and trade magazines, and over a period of years, she was the most publicized and beloved of all Thanhouser players. [5]
Florence La Badie was born Florence Russ on April 27, 1888 to Horace B. and Marie C. Russ in New York City. After the death of her father and the inability of her mother to provide care, Florence, at age three, was adopted by Joseph E. and Amanda J. La Badie of Montreal, Canada. [6] The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) also lists her birthplace as New York City, with the birth name of Florence Russ.
Florence's adoptive father, Joseph E. La Badie, was a prominent attorney in Montreal, and his wife, the former Amanda Victor, is said to have been born in Europe, possibly Paris. Her adoptive uncle, Oddiehon LaBadie, maintained an estate in nearby St. Lambert. Florence was educated in New York City schools and at the Convent of Notre Dame in Montreal.
Tragically, on October 13, 1917 at age 29, Florence succumbed to injuries suffered in an automobile accident on August 28, 1917, making her the first major “movie star” to die at the zenith of her popularity. The New York Times published an article the following day, Thursday October 18, 1917, reporting the throng of friends and fans attending her funeral. She was buried in an unmarked grave in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.[7]
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