Merna Kennedy

Merna Kennedy (born Maude Kahler[1]; September 7, 1908 – December 20, 1944) was an American actress of the late silent era and the transitional period into talkies.

Merna Kennedy
Kennedy and Glenn Tryon from the 1929 film Skinner Steps Out
Born
Maude Kahler

(1908-09-07)September 7, 1908
Kankakee, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 20, 1944(1944-12-20) (aged 36)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1928–1934
Spouse(s)

Career

She was born in Kankakee to Maud (née Reed) and John Kahler, a German American butcher turned chiropractor. After her parents separated her mother took her children to California, marrying 2 years after into a grocers provider, and changing their family name to Kennedy. Very early at the outbreak of World War I, from the age of seven Merna and her brother, Melvin Kennedy known as Merle, prepped by their mother toured as a dancing and singing siblings act the Orpheum and Pantages theater circuits of vaudeville where she became acquainted with Lita Grey.[2] He broke his leg ending the duo, prompting Grey to suggest silent films.[2]

Kennedy was best known during her brief career for her role opposite Charlie Chaplin in the silent film The Circus (1928). A role she was brought to the attention of Chaplin for by her friend Lita Grey, who became Chaplin's second wife in 1924.[3] A dancer, she had muscular legs which helped her gain the role of the circus bareback rider.

Kennedy continued acting after The Circus, starring in early sound films, but retired in 1934 when she married choreographer/director Busby Berkeley on February 10, 1934[4] at Hollywood United Methodist Church.[5] Their marriage broke up by 1936.[2]

Kennedy died of a heart attack, aged 36, four days after her marriage to Master Sergeant Forrest Brayton,[6]on December 20, 1944 in California. She is buried at Pinecrest Cemetery.[7]

Filmography

Silent Films

Talkies

References
  1. Birth Records from the Kankakee Historical Society.
  2. Chaplin, Lita Grey; Vance, Jeffrey (1998-03-05). Wife of the Life of the Party: A Memoir. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9781461674320.
  3. "The Short Life of Merna Kennedy, Chaplin's Co-Star in "The Circus"". (Travalanche). 7 September 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  4. Spivak, Jeffrey (2010-09-29). Buzz: The Life and Art of Busby Berkeley. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813140087.
  5. Mercado, Eric (2012-07-01). "Heaven Sent Los Angeles Magazine". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
  6. "Chaplin Protégé Taken by Death". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. 28 December 1944. p. 4.
  7. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001-05-01). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. ISBN 9780786409839.
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