Evelyn Brent
back| Full Name | Mary Elizabeth Riggs |
| Stage Name | Evelyn Brent |
| Born | October 20, 1895 |
| Birthplace | Tampa, Florida, USA |
| Died | June 4, 1975 |
| Buried | San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, USA |
| Married to | Bernard P. Fineman (1928–1948), Harry Fox (1950–1959), William D. Mace (1960–1975) |
| Children | None |
| Notable films | Underworld (1927) - The Last Command (1928) - Fast Company (1929) |
Evelyn Brent
The Silent Siren of the Silver Screen
Evelyn Brent (1895–1975) was a captivating actress of the silent and early sound film eras, known for her striking looks and intense performances. Born in Tampa, Florida, she gained prominence in silent films, particularly with Underworld (1927) and The Last Command (1928), directed by Josef von Sternberg.
She specialized in playing enigmatic, strong-willed women, often in crime dramas and gangster films. Transitioning to sound, her deep, husky voice suited the medium, but Hollywood’s shifting landscape relegated her to supporting roles. She continued working in B-movies and television into the 1950s. Honored as a WAMPAS Baby Star (1923), she received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960.
Married three times, she remained active in the industry as a talent agent. Brent passed away in 1975 from a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of portraying bold, complex women in early Hollywood cinema.
Related
Evelyn Brent (1895 – 1975)
Biography and Movie Career
Evelyn Brent was born Mary Elizabeth Riggs on October 20, 1895, in Tampa, Florida. Little is known about her family background, but she spent much of her childhood in Brooklyn, New York, where she attended public school. Unlike many young women of her time, Brent was ambitious and independent, showing an early interest in the arts. Initially, she considered a career as a schoolteacher, but fate had other plans for her. Her striking beauty and innate sense of style caught the attention of photographers, leading her into the world of modeling and, soon after, motion pictures.
Path Toward Success: Silent Film Stardom
Evelyn Brent’s journey into acting began in the 1910s, at a time when the American film industry was still in its infancy. She started appearing in silent films produced by the World Film Company, based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, which was one of the earliest centers of filmmaking in the U.S.
Over the next several years, she took on numerous roles in silent films, slowly building her reputation. By the early 1920s, however, she saw greater opportunities beyond America’s shores and traveled to England, where she gained further experience acting in British films. This international stint helped refine her acting skills and gave her a broader range of performances.
Upon returning to the United States, Hollywood studios took notice of her talents. One of the most influential moments in her career came when director Josef von Sternberg cast her in his seminal 1927 gangster film, Underworld. In the role of the sultry and enigmatic Feathers McCoy, Brent delivered a mesmerizing, cool yet emotionally charged performance, solidifying her as one of Hollywood’s rising stars.
She quickly followed this triumph with another von Sternberg masterpiece, The Last Command (1928), in which she starred alongside Emil Jannings. The film, a powerful drama about the Russian Revolution, once again showcased her ability to portray strong, mysterious, and emotionally complex women. She was now firmly established as one of the leading ladies of silent cinema.
Her success continued with films like The Dragnet (1928) and Fast Company (1929), where she often played roles that combined toughness with undeniable allure. These performances reinforced her on-screen image as a sophisticated and commanding presence, a perfect fit for the crime dramas and melodramas popular at the time.
Challenges of the Sound Era and Career Decline
With the arrival of talking pictures in the late 1920s, many silent film stars struggled to adapt to the new medium. Evelyn Brent, despite having a strong and distinctive voice, was among those whose career never quite reached the same heights in the sound era.
She continued to act in early talkies, including The Silver Horde (1930), in which she starred opposite Joel McCrea. However, as Hollywood evolved, so did its tastes, and Brent’s brand of silent-era glamour no longer fit the mold of the emerging new wave of leading ladies.
Throughout the 1930s, her film roles grew increasingly smaller and were often in low-budget B-movies. She worked steadily in westerns, crime dramas, and action films, but the golden years of playing center-stage roles had passed. By the mid-1940s, she had transitioned into smaller supporting roles and occasional television appearances.
Personal Life and Marriages
Brent’s personal life was filled with romantic relationships, but she was not one to seek the spotlight for her off-screen affairs. She married three times, though none of the marriages resulted in children.
• Bernard P. Fineman (1928–1948) – A film producer, Fineman and Brent had a long marriage that lasted for two decades. Their union coincided with the height of her career and its eventual decline.
• Harry Fox (1950–1959) – Her second husband was vaudeville star Harry Fox, famous as the namesake of the "Fox Trot" dance. Their marriage lasted nearly a decade, but they ultimately divorced.
• William D. Mace (1960–1975) – Her final husband was William D. Mace, with whom she spent the remainder of her life. Their relationship was stable, and he provided her with companionship during her later years.
Brent never had children and was known for keeping her private life largely out of the public eye.
Passions and Life Beyond Hollywood
Although Evelyn Brent never regained the immense fame she had during the 1920s, she remained deeply connected to the entertainment industry. In her later years, she worked as a talent agent, helping aspiring actors navigate the complexities of Hollywood. She had a keen business sense and a willingness to mentor young talent, showing that while she had stepped away from the silver screen, she still had much to offer the film industry.
Brent also had a passion for fashion and style, always maintaining her signature elegance even as she aged. She lived a relatively quiet life in Los Angeles, socializing with old Hollywood friends and occasionally attending industry events.
Death and Cause of Death
Evelyn Brent passed away on June 4, 1975, at the age of 79, in Los Angeles, California. Her cause of death was a heart attack.
She was laid to rest at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, in Mission Hills, California, where several other Hollywood legends are also buried.
Legacy
Though her name is not as well remembered today as some of her contemporaries, Evelyn Brent was an essential part of early Hollywood’s evolution. She was among the most recognizable faces of the silent era, particularly in the gangster and crime drama genres, where her performances helped define the femme fatale archetype that would later be echoed in film noir.
Her work in Underworld and The Last Command remains celebrated by silent film enthusiasts, and her influence can still be seen in the strong, independent female characters that have since become staples of cinema.
Even as Hollywood moved past her, she remained a devoted film professional until the end, proving that while fame may be fleeting, true passion for the art of storytelling lasts a lifetime.
Evelyn Brent Height
5 feet 2 inches (1.57 meters)
Images of Evelyn Brent
Analysis of Evelyn Brent’s Acting Style
Evelyn Brent was an actress whose screen presence was defined by a captivating blend of intensity, elegance, and an underlying emotional complexity that made her a standout performer, particularly in the silent film era. She was not the typical ingenue; instead, she exuded strength, intelligence, and mystery, often portraying women who were as alluring as they were formidable.
During the silent film era, actors had to rely entirely on their facial expressions, body language, and physical presence to communicate emotions. Brent excelled at this, possessing a uniquely expressive face that could shift from cool detachment to burning intensity in an instant. Her dark, piercing eyes were particularly striking, capable of conveying volumes of emotion without a single word. In Underworld (1927), one of her defining films, she played "Feathers" McCoy with a quiet, smoldering charisma, revealing her character’s inner turmoil and loyalties through subtle changes in posture and gaze.
Unlike many actresses of her era who leaned into exaggerated expressions, Brent's style was understated and modern, making her performances feel ahead of their time. She often embodied enigmatic women—characters who were both deeply emotional and shrewdly calculating, making her a perfect fit for the burgeoning gangster and crime film genres.
A Femme Fatale Before Film Noir
Before the film noir femme fatale archetype fully developed in the 1940s, Evelyn Brent was already laying the groundwork in the late 1920s and early 1930s. She played sophisticated, street-smart women who often found themselves entangled in the dangerous world of gangsters, criminals, and corruption. She didn’t play helpless victims—instead, her characters often had a cool, commanding presence, making them as powerful as the men who surrounded them.
Her portrayal of Natalie Dabrova in The Last Command (1928) is a perfect example of her ability to mix toughness with vulnerability. As a revolutionary in a politically charged drama, she brought an emotional depth to her role, skillfully balancing her character’s ideological conviction with human emotion.
This same combination of tough exterior and emotional depth was evident in her role in The Dragnet (1928), another Josef von Sternberg film. Here, she played a woman caught between the criminal underworld and law enforcement, once again delivering a performance rooted in nuance rather than theatrical melodrama.
Transitioning to Sound: A Voice That Matched Her Persona
The advent of sound cinema in the late 1920s presented a challenge for many silent film stars, but Brent's deep, smoky voice was actually well-suited for the era. Her voice carried a husky, almost sultry quality, which complemented her on-screen image as a strong, worldly woman.
However, the shift in Hollywood’s storytelling style, along with the rise of a new generation of actresses, reduced the demand for her particular brand of intense, enigmatic glamour. By the early 1930s, she was often cast in smaller roles, particularly in crime dramas and B-movies, where she continued to bring a sophisticated authority to her characters.
The Evolution of Her Persona: From Leading Lady to Character Actress
As her career progressed into the late 1930s and 1940s, Brent transitioned from leading roles to supporting parts. While she may not have enjoyed the same stardom she once held, she remained a commanding presence in every scene she was in. In these later years, she played roles that often had a sense of world-weariness, sometimes as a mentor, a criminal mastermind, or a woman with a past.
One of her final notable performances came in The Seventh Victim (1943), a psychological horror film where she played a mysterious and quietly sinister woman—a fitting role for someone whose career had been defined by playing complicated, multi-layered characters.
A Legacy of Strength and Subtlety
Evelyn Brent was not just another beautiful silent film star—she was a trailblazer in portraying women with depth, intelligence, and an air of danger. She embodied a new kind of female lead: one who was not merely a romantic interest but a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Her performances were characterized by a graceful restraint, a controlled intensity, and an ability to suggest layers of emotion beneath a composed exterior.
Today, Brent’s legacy remains in the echoes of the film noir heroines of the 1940s and 1950s, who carried the same kind of mystique, power, and vulnerability that she pioneered decades earlier. While her name may not be as widely recognized today, her impact on the portrayal of strong, complex women in cinema is undeniable.
Notable Movie Quotes
From The Silver Horde (1930):
• Cherry Malotte: "I'm Cherry Malotte! They know about me from San Francisco to Sitka. My reputation's got marks on it I couldn't rub off if I wanted to! I am what I am! I don't know how they finally settle things in this world or the next, but when the day comes I'll stand there with my chin up and take what's coming to me. And I wouldn't trade places with you, you white-livered, sweet-smelling hypocrite if they gave me a one-way ticket to Hell!"
• Cherry Malotte: "When I love a man, I don't need any rules."
Awards and Recognition
• WAMPAS Baby Stars (1923):
his annual promotional campaign honored thirteen young actresses each year, deemed on the threshold of movie stardom. Brent's inclusion in 1923 highlighted her as a promising talent in the film industry.
• Photoplay Award (July 1932):
Brent was recognized for her performance in the film Attorney for the Defense (1932), receiving the Photoplay Award for Best Performance of the Month.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1960):
In 1960, Brent was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6548 Hollywood Boulevard, commemorating her contributions to the motion picture industry.
Evelyn Brent Movies Overview
1914
• A Gentleman from Mississippi: Brent played Hope Langdon in this political drama about a Southern senator navigating corruption in Washington, D.C.
1915
• The Heart of a Painted Woman: A drama focusing on the life of a woman entangled in societal expectations and personal desires.
• The Shooting of Dan McGrew: Based on Robert W. Service's poem, Brent portrayed Nell, a woman involved in a dramatic love triangle in the Yukon.
1916
• The Lure of Heart's Desire: Brent played Little Snowbird in this tale of adventure and romance.
• The Iron Will: A short film showcasing themes of determination and resilience.
• The Soul Market: Brent starred as Vivian Austin in this drama exploring the complexities of ambition and morality.
• Playing with Fire: She took on the role of Lucille Vane in this narrative about the dangers of temptation.
• The Spell of the Yukon: Brent portrayed Dorothy Temple in this story set against the backdrop of the Yukon.
• The Weakness of Strength: A drama focusing on the contrasts between physical strength and moral weakness.
• The Iron Woman: Brent played Nannie Maitland in this adaptation of Margaret Deland's novel about societal expectations and personal integrity.
1917
• The Millionaire's Double: A tale of mistaken identity and its ensuing complications.
• To the Death: Brent starred as Rosa in this drama centered around themes of love and sacrifice.
• Who's Your Neighbor?: A social commentary exploring the lives of neighboring families.
• Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman: Brent played Ethel, the daughter of Lord Amersteth, in this crime drama about a gentleman thief.
1918
• Daybreak: She took on the role of Detective Alma Peterson in this lost film.
1919
• Border River: A short film where Brent played Marie Dubuque, set against a backdrop of frontier challenges.
• Help! Help! Police!: A comedic drama involving misunderstandings and law enforcement.
• Fool's Gold: Brent portrayed Nancy Smith in this narrative about the perils of greed.
• The Other Man's Wife: A drama exploring the complexities of marital relationships.
• The Glorious Lady: Brent played Lady Eileen in this romantic drama set in high society.
1920
• The Shuttle of Life: A lost film where Brent portrayed Miriam Grey.
• The Law Divine: She took on the role of Daphne Grey in this drama about moral dilemmas.
1921
• Demos: Brent played Emma Vine in this narrative about social and political upheavals.
• The Door That Has No Key: A mystery film where she portrayed Violet Melton.
• Sybil: Brent took on the titular role in this drama about identity and societal expectations.
• Sonia: She played Sonia Dainton in this story of love and personal discovery.
• Laughter and Tears: Brent portrayed Pierette in this film exploring the dualities of life.
1922
• Trapped by the Mormons: Brent played Nora Prescott in this controversial film about a woman ensnared by deceptive practices.
• The Spanish Jade: She portrayed Mañuela in this romantic drama set in Spain.
• Married to a Mormon: Brent took on the role of Beryl Fane in this film addressing the challenges of polygamy.
• The Experiment: She played Doris Fielding in this narrative about scientific and personal trials.
• Pages of Life: Brent portrayed dual roles as Mitzi and Dolores in this drama about intertwined lives.
1923
• Held to Answer: She played Bessie Burbeck in this legal drama exploring justice and morality.
1924
• Loving Lies: Brent portrayed Ellen Craig in this romantic drama about deceit and love.
• The Shadow of the Desert: She played Lolaire in this adventure set against desert landscapes.
• Arizona Express: Brent took on the role of Lola Nichols in this action-packed train drama.
• The Plunderer: She portrayed The Lily in this Western about greed and redemption.
• The Lone Chance: Brent played Margaret West in this drama about taking risks for love.
• The Desert Outlaw: She portrayed May Halloway in this Western tale of lawlessness and justice.
• The Cyclone Rider: Brent took on the role of Weeping Wanda in this action-packed narrative.
• The Dangerous Flirt: She played Sheila Fairfax in this drama about romantic entanglements.
• My Husband's Wives: Brent portrayed Marie Wynn in this story of complex marital relationships.
• Silk Stocking Sal: She took on the role of 'Stormy' Martin in this drama about a woman's resilience.
1925
• Midnight Molly: Brent played Margaret Warren, also known as Midnight Molly, in this crime drama about a woman leading a double life.
• Forbidden Cargo: She portrayed Polly O'Day in this adventure involving smuggling and high-seas intrigue.
• Alias Mary Flynn: Brent took on the role of Mary Flynn, a woman entangled in a case of mistaken identity.
• Smooth as Satin: She played Gertie Jones in this drama about deception and romance.
• Lady Robinhood: Brent starred as Señorita Catalina, also known as La Ortiga, in this tale of a female outlaw fighting for justice.
• Three Wise Crooks: She portrayed Molly in this crime drama about three female crooks with a moral code.
• Broadway Lady: Brent played Rosalie Ryan, a woman navigating the challenges of Broadway.
1926
• Queen o'Diamonds: She took on dual roles as Jeanette Durant and Jerry Lyon in this drama about mistaken identities.
• Secret Orders: Brent portrayed Janet Graaham in this military-themed drama involving espionage.
• The Impostor: She played Judith Gilbert in this story about deception and uncovering the truth.
• The Jade Cup: Brent took on the role of Peggy Allen in this mystery revolving around a valuable artifact.
• Flame of the Argentine: She portrayed Inez Remírez in this romantic drama set in Argentina.
• Love 'Em and Leave 'Em: Brent played Mame Walsh in this comedy-drama about two sisters with contrasting personalities.
1927
• Love's Greatest Mistake: She portrayed Jane in this drama about love and misunderstandings.
• Blind Alleys: Brent played Sally Ray in this crime drama involving underworld figures.
• Underworld: She starred as 'Feathers' McCoy in this seminal gangster film directed by Josef von Sternberg, which is considered a classic of the silent era.
• Women's Wares: Brent took on the role of Dolly Morton in this drama about the struggles of women in society.
1928
• Beau Sabreur: She portrayed Mary Vanbrugh in this adventure film set in the French Foreign Legion.
• The Last Command: Brent starred as Natalie Dabrova in this historical drama about a former Russian general turned Hollywood extra, directed by Josef von Sternberg.
• The Showdown: She played Sibyl Shelton in this Western drama involving conflicts over land and love.
• A Night of Mystery: Brent took on the role of Gilberte Boismartel in this mystery involving romance and intrigue.
• His Tiger Lady: She portrayed the Tiger Lady in this drama about a woman's fierce independence.
• The Drag Net: Brent played the Magpie in this crime drama directed by Josef von Sternberg, involving police investigations and underworld figures.
• The Mating Call: She starred as Rose Henderson in this drama about post-war societal changes and personal relationships.
• Interference: Brent played Deborah Kane in this early sound film about marital infidelity and murder.
1929
• Broadway: She portrayed Pearl in this musical drama set in the world of Broadway theaters.
• Fast Company: Brent played Evelyn Corey in this crime drama about con artists and deception.
• Woman Trap: She starred as Kitty Evans in this crime drama involving love and betrayal.
• Why Bring That Up?: Brent took on the role of Betty in this musical comedy about vaudeville performers.
• Darkened Rooms: She portrayed Ellen in this mystery involving spiritualism and deceit.
1930
• Slightly Scarlet: Brent played Lucy Stavrin in this drama about love and political intrigue.
• Framed: She starred as Rose Manning in this crime drama about a woman seeking revenge for her father's death.
• Paramount on Parade: Brent appeared as a Bedroom Apache Dancer in the 'Origin of the Apache' segment of this all-star revue film.
• The Silver Horde: She portrayed Cherry Malotte in this adventure drama set in Alaska, involving salmon fishing and business rivalries.
• Madonna of the Streets: Brent played May in this drama about a woman who takes in an abandoned baby, leading to unexpected changes in her life.
1931
• Traveling Husbands: She starred as Ruby Smith in this drama about traveling salesmen and their personal lives.
• The Pagan Lady: Brent played Dorothy 'Dot' Hunter in this pre-Code drama about a woman's romantic entanglements.
• The Mad Parade: She portrayed Monica Dale in this war drama focusing on women's experiences during World War I.
1932
• High Pressure: Brent portrayed Francine Dale in this comedy about a fast-talking promoter who tries to sell an invention that turns water into fuel.
• Attorney for the Defense: She played Val Lorraine in this legal drama where a defense attorney becomes romantically involved with his client, leading to ethical dilemmas.
• The Crusader: Brent took on the role of Tess Brandon in this drama about a crusading newspaper reporter exposing corruption.
1933
• The World Gone Mad: She starred as Carlotta Lamont in this crime drama involving stock market fraud and murder.
1935
• Symphony of Living: Brent played Paula Greig Rupert in this drama about a musician's struggles to support his family.
• Home on the Range: She portrayed Georgia in this Western musical about a cowboy who returns home to find his family ranch in trouble.
• Without Children: Brent took on the role of Shirley Ross Cole in this drama about a couple facing societal pressures regarding parenthood.
• The Nitwits: She played Mrs. Alice Lake in this comedy-mystery involving two songwriters who become amateur detectives.
• Speed Limited: Brent starred as Natalie in this crime drama set aboard a speeding train.
1936
• Song of the Trail: She portrayed Myra in this Western about a cowboy trying to clear his name.
• It Couldn't Have Happened – But It Did: Brent played Beverly Drake in this mystery about a playwright who becomes involved in a real murder case.
• The President's Mystery: She took on the role of Ilka Blake in this crime drama about a man who fakes his own death to start anew.
• Hopalong Cassidy Returns: Brent portrayed Lilli Marsh in this Western where Hopalong Cassidy investigates cattle rustling.
1937
• Jungle Jim: She played Shanghai Lil in this adventure serial about a hunter in the African jungle.
• King of Gamblers: Brent starred as Cora in this crime drama about a casino owner involved in illegal activities.
• The Last Train from Madrid: She had an uncredited role as a soldier in this war drama set during the Spanish Civil War.
• Night Club Scandal: Brent portrayed Julia Reed in this mystery involving a nightclub singer and a murder investigation.
• Sudden Bill Dorn: She played Diana Viargas in this Western about a man seeking revenge for his father's death.
• Daughter of Shanghai: Brent took on the role of Olga Derey in this crime drama about a woman fighting against a smuggling ring.
1938
• Tip-Off Girls: She portrayed Rena Terry in this crime drama about a trucking company infiltrated by criminals.
• Mr. Wong, Detective: Brent played Olga, also known as Countess Dubois, in this mystery about a detective solving a series of murders.
• The Law West of Tombstone: She starred as Clara 'Clary' Martinez in this Western about a judge bringing law and order to a frontier town.
1939
• Panama Lady: Brent portrayed Lenore in this drama about a woman working in a Panama nightclub who becomes involved in a dangerous situation.
• Daughter of the Tong: She played The Illustrious One in this crime drama about an undercover agent infiltrating a Chinese crime syndicate.
• The Mad Empress: Brent starred as Empress Eugenie in this historical drama about the fall of the Mexican Empire.
1941
• Emergency Landing: She portrayed Maude Lambert in this aviation adventure about a test pilot facing sabotage.
• Forced Landing: Brent had a role as a housekeeper in this drama about a pilot involved in a South American revolution.
• Wide Open Town: She played Belle Langtry in this Western where Hopalong Cassidy cleans up a lawless town.
• Dangerous Lady: Brent starred as Hester Engle in this crime drama about a female detective agency.
• Holt of the Secret Service: She portrayed Kay Drew in this adventure serial about an undercover agent thwarting counterfeiters.
1942
• Westward Ho: Brent played Mrs. Healey in this Western about the Three Mesquiteers protecting settlers from outlaws.
• Wrecking Crew: She starred as Martha Poska in this crime drama about sabotage in the construction industry.
• The Payoff: Brent portrayed Alma Dorn in this crime film about a reporter investigating a crime syndicate.
• Silent Witness: She played Mrs. Roos/Anna Barnes in this mystery about a woman accused of murder.
1943
• Spy Train: Brent starred as Frieda Molte in this thriller about Nazi spies targeting a munitions train.
• The Seventh Victim: She portrayed Natalie Cortez in this horror film about a woman's search for her missing sister, leading her into a cult.
1944
• Bowery Champs: Brent played Gypsy Carmen in this comedy-mystery involving the Bowery Boys solving a murder.
1947
• Raiders of the South: She portrayed Belle Chambers in this Western about a Confederate soldier returning home to find trouble.
• Robin Hood of Monterey: Brent portrayed Maria Belmonte Sanchez in this Western where a masked vigilante fights to protect the oppressed in Old California.
1948
• Stage Struck: She played Miss Lloyd in this crime drama about a young actress entangled in a murder mystery.
• The Golden Eye: Brent took on the role of Sister Teresa in this Charlie Chan mystery involving a gold mine with a deadly secret.
1950
• Again... Pioneers: She starred as Alice Keeler in this drama about a family's struggles and faith in the American Midwest.
1960
• Wagon Train (TV Series) – Episode: "The Lita Foladaire Story": Brent appeared as Mrs. Simmons in this Western series episode, which follows pioneers traveling westward.