Olive Mary Borden

 Olive Mary Borden (July 14, 1906 – October 1, 1947)

Borden began her career as one of the Sennett Bathing Beauties in 1922 and was soon appearing as a vamp in Hal Roach comedy shorts. Producer Paul Bern chose her for an uncredited role in his film The Dressmaker from Paris (1925). She was signed by Fox after being named a WAMPAS Baby Star in 1925, along with her cousin, Natalie Joyce . At the peak of her career in the mid-1920s, Borden was earning $1,500 a week. However, in 1927, she walked out on her contract with Fox after refusing to take a pay cut. By 1929, her career began to wane due to her rumored reputation for being temperamental, and her difficulty transitioning to sound films. She made her last film, Chloe, Love Is Calling You, in 1934 and moved on to stage work for a time. By the late 1930s, she had declared bankruptcy and stopped acting. During World War II, she joined the WACs. She was later honorably discharged with distinction after sustaining a foot injury during service. Borden attempted a comeback in films, however, she was hindered by her alcoholism and health problems. In 1945, she began working at the Sunshine Mission, a home for impoverished women located in the skidrow section of Los Angeles. Borden died on October 1, 1947, from complications of pneumonia at the age of 41. She is buried at Forest Lawn-Glendale.