Alice Lake (September 12, 1895 – November 15, 1967) was an American film actress who began her career during the silent film era and often appeared in comedy shorts opposite Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle.
Career
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Lake began her career as a dancer. She made her screen debut in 1912, and she appeared in a number of comedy shorts by Mack Sennett. Lake was often the leading lady of Fatty Arbuckle in comedies such as Oh Doctor! (1917) and The Cook (1918). Arbuckle directed both films and was joined by Buster Keaton who had a leading role in Oh Doctor!. Lake also played dramatic roles with Bert Lytell in Blackie's Redemption and The Lion's Den, both from 1919.
She starred in the 1920 film Body and Soul and appeared in a number of Metro silent film features in the 1920s as the lead actress. At the height of her career she earned $1,200 per week as a motion picture actress. Lake had only limited success in dramatic roles. Following the introduction of talkies, her parts in films began to wane and she only performed in supporting roles. Her last appearance in film was in 1935 with a bit part in Frisco Kid. In all her screen credits numbered ninety-six.
Personal life
In March 1924, Lake married fellow actor Robert Williams, but they were divorced in 1925. The couple separated and reunited three times before they permanently separated. Williams was a vaudeville performer who had appeared in a number of stage plays. He was previously married to singer Marion Harris. Lake was the aunt of Filipina actress Anita Linda.
Death
Lake died of a heart attack at Paradise Sanitarium in Hollywood, California. She was 72. She was buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood.
For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Alice Lake has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1620 Vine Street.
Selected filmography
Footnotes
References
- Los Angeles Times, "Another Romance Of Films On Rocks", March 16, 1925, Page 20.
- Los Angeles Times, "Ex-Actress Alice Lake Dies at 71", November 17, 1967, Page 29.
Further reading
- Michael G. Ankerich (2017). Hairpins and Dead Ends: The Perilous Journeys of 25 Actresses Through Early Hollywood. BearManor. ISBN 978-1-62933-201-7.
External links
- Alice Lake at IMDb
- Alice Lake at Virtual History
