Actor / Director Profile

The first actress to sign a contract with Universal in 1915, Astor began her career playing trombone on a riverboat. Towering over most of her leading men, she often played golddiggers, rich socialites or a leading lady's best friend. With the advent of sound, Astor's career continued, landing her in a number of two-reel comedies, mostly with the Hal Roach studio and occasionally with Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang and Charley Chase. "I've never been so embarrassed in all my life!" seemed to be one of her most used lines in films. Acting until the 1960s, Astor often relayed her film memories to friends, fans and historians. At one point in her career, she along with actress Lilyan Tashman, were known as the most elegant and best dressed women in Hollywood. Astor died following a stroke on her 90th birthday.