User Profile

Born Olga Edna Purviance on October 21, 1895, to Louise and Madison Gates Purviance in Paradise Valley, Nevada, Edna Purviance later became Charlie Chaplin's leading lady. Chaplin asked Edna to join him at Essanay Studios in 1915 and debuted in "His Night Out." She would appear in more than 20 Chaplin films over the next seven years. Edna's relationship with Charlie would become romantic, but was later cut short after he was forced to marry Mildred Harris. Later in life, Edna would marry John P. Squires, in the 1930's, the marriage was cut short in the 1940's. Despite Chaplin's shotgun wedding, Edna remained his leading lady. Edna never became as big a star as Chaplin, but he had planned stardom for her by featuring her in "A Woman of Paris." The film did nothing for Edna, but advanced the career of the lead man. Edna's last two roles were as non speaking extras in Chaplin's films, "Monsieur Verdoux" and "Limelight." Edna remained on Chaplin Studios payroll until her death on January 11, 1958, due to throat cancer.



I am not Edna Purviance, and I am in no way associated with Edna Purviance. I am just a fan of hers, participating in a Classic Stars RPG Community. For more information, please visit http://www.livejournal.com/users/classic_rpg.

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