Profile Text
Pickford, c. 1910, Rufus Porter Moody; Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington
Birth Name: Gladys Louise Smith
Date of Birth: April 8, 1892
Place of Birth: Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada
Date of Death: May 29, 1979
Place of Death: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, Irish
Mary Pickford was a Canadian and American actress, writer, director, and producer. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Coquette (1929). In 1919, Mary co-founded film studio United Artists, with, among others, her then-husband, actor, screenwriter, director, and producer Douglas Fairbanks . Mary was one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Mary was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Elsie Charlotte (Hennessy) and John Charles Smith. She later moved to the U.S.
Mary was married to actor and musician Charles “Buddy” Rogers, until her death. The couple had two children, who were adopted.
Mary’s paternal grandfather was named Joseph Smith. Joseph was born in Liverpool, England.
Mary’s paternal grandmother was named Sarah Key (the daughter of Thomas Key and Elizabeth). Sarah was English, from Norfolk. Thomas was the son of John Key and Ann.
Mary’s maternal grandfather was named John Pickford Hennessy/Hennessey (the son of a father surnamed Hennessy, and of Elizabeth Pickford). John was born in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
Mary’s maternal grandmother was named Catherine Faeley. Catherine was Irish.
Sources: Genealogies of Mary Pickford – http://www.geni.com http://www.findagrave.com https://www.wikitree.com