Lilian Bond

Lilian Bond (January 18, 1908 – January 25, 1991) was an English actress based in the United States.

Lilian Bond
publicity photo of Lilian Bond, May 1931
Born(1908-01-18)January 18, 1908
London, England, United Kingdom
DiedJanuary 25, 1991(1991-01-25) (aged 83)
Reseda, California, U.S.
Years active1922–1958
Spouse(s)Sidney Smith (m.1935–div.1944)
Morton Lowry (m.1950–div.1956)
Michael Fessier (m.1961–1988; his death)
Children2

Life and career

Bond was born in London and made her first public appearance at the age of 14[1] when she was in the pantomime Dick Whittington. Later she joined the chorus of Piccadilly Revels and continued on the stage when she went to the United States. Her stage activities included performing in Earl Carroll's Vanities.[1]

She began her film career in the 1929 film No More Children. Between 1929 and 1931, she starred in nine films, most notably the 1931 western Rider of the Plains with Tom Tyler. In 1932, she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star, along with, among others, Gloria Stuart and Ginger Rogers.[2]

From 1932 to 1953, she had roles in 39 films, some of which were uncredited, with others having her in the lead role. In James Whale's comedic thriller starring Boris Karloff titled The Old Dark House (1932), Bond played Gladys DuCane, a chorus girl who falls in love with Roger Penderel (played by Melvyn Douglas). Possibly her best-known film role was in the 1940 Western The Westerner starring Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan, in which she played Lillie Langtry.[3] By the 1950s, her career had declined, with her having mostly TV appearances. She retired from acting at the age of 50 in 1958.[4]

Personal life

Bond was married three times, her first marriage being at the height of her career, to Sidney Smith, a broker. They were married on June 28, 1935, but "a technical legal question" led to their having a second ceremony on September 3, 1936.[5] Each sued the other for divorce, as he charged her with mental cruelty and she charged him with extreme cruelty. The two divorced in 1944.

She also married Michael Fessier, a successful writer and producer in 1961. The two remained married until his death in 1988.[6]

Death

Bond died in 1991 at aged 83 from a heart attack in a care home in Reseda, California.[6]

Selected filmography

References
  1. "Lilian Bond Forgets Work and Gets Jobs". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. April 24, 1932. p. Part Four - 1. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Baby Stars at Get-Together Meeting". The Herald-Palladium. Michigan, Saint Joseph. December 17, 1932. p. 10. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Porter, Darwin (2005). Howard Hughes: Hell's Angel. Blood Moon Productions, Ltd. p. 281. ISBN 9780974811819. Retrieved 10 March 2017. Lilian Bond actress.
  4. Lilian Bond on IMDb
  5. "Lilian Bond, filing suit of own, hits at mate". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. November 27, 1943. p. 22. Retrieved June 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Lilian Bond, 83, Dies; Film Actress in 30's". The New York Times. January 29, 1991. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
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