Biography

Mary Astor, originally known as Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke, was an esteemed American actress who gained recognition for her portrayal of Brigid O'Shaughnessy in the renowned film The Maltese Falcon of 1941. Astor embarked on her motion picture career in the early 1920s as a teenage actress in silent films, but eventually transitioned into talkies. However, her initially perceived masculine voice led to a year-long absence from the screen. Nonetheless, Astor's participation in a play alongside her friend Florence Eldridge opened doors for film opportunities, allowing her to revive her career in talking films. Unfortunately, her reputation was nearly demolished in 1936 due to scandal, as her ex-husband labelled her an adulterous wife during a custody battle for their daughter. Despite these personal obstacles, Astor triumphed and achieved greater success in her acting career, culminating in an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her exceptional performance in The Great Lie in 1941. Throughout most of the 1940s, Astor worked under contract for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and continued to deliver remarkable performances in film, television, and on stage until her retirement in 1964. In 1990, director Lindsay Anderson lauded Astor as an actress of extraordinary allure, whose profound depth and authenticity always illuminated her roles, making her a topic of discussion among cinema enthusiasts. Additionally, Astor showcased her writing talent by penning five novels, including a bestselling autobiography and her later work, A Life on Film, which focused on her illustrious career.