Natalie Talmadge

Natalie Talmadge Mary, called Nate ( born April 29, 1896 in Brooklyn, New York, † June 19, 1969 in Santa Monica, California ) was an American actress of the silent era, and the first wife of silent film star Buster Keaton.

Life

Natalie was the youngest daughter of Frederick L. Talmadge († 1925) and his wife Margaret Peg José ( 1870-1933 ), as well as the younger sister of Norma ( 1893-1957 ) and Constance ( 1897-1973 ). Around 1908 her mother separated from her alcoholic husband and moved to California with her daughters. There, her sisters were discovered as actors and had in the genres of comedy and drama success.

In 1916, Natalie got her first small role in the film Intolerance, directed by David Wark Griffith, as a harem girl. Between 1916 and 1923 she appeared in eight other films and wrote in 1918 along with Roscoe " Fatty" Arbuckle the screenplay for the film Out West with Buster Keaton in the lead role. About her brother Joseph Schenck met Natalie her future husband know and love. On May 31, 1921 Natalie Talmadge married in New Mexico the silent film star Buster Keaton ( 1895-1966 ), son of Vaudeville actor Joe Keaton and his wife, Myra Edith Cutler. From the couple's marriage had two sons: James Buster Jr. (1922-2007) and Robert (* 1924).

The couple Keaton was in Darn hospitality film (AKA Our Hospitality, 1923) for the only time together in front of the camera. The marriage was a turbulent and was the focus of the public. As in 1928, sold Joseph Schenck its contract with Keaton in the film production and film distribution company Metro -Goldwyn- Mayer ( MGM), this also had to Busters career out unfavorable. His affairs with other women were publicly and he turned more and more to alcohol. For rotational appointments he appeared drunk most or not at all. Natalie Talmadge filed for divorce in 1932 - long disputes over division of property and custody of the two children followed. In the following years they also prevented her ex- husband could see their sons, and refused to get in touch with him.

Natalie Talmadge died on June 19, 1969 in Santa Monica to a heart attack and was buried in the family crypt.