(1874-1965)
Born Gertrude Lamson in Oakland, California, the actress made her debut in 1893 at San Francisco's Alcazar Theatre. She toured in McKee Rankin's popular melodrama The Danites. Her New York debut came in 1896 at Weber and Fields's Theatre. One of her great roles that long remained in her repertory was Leah in The Jewess, which she performed successfully in London in 1902 as well as for many years on tour. Her Variety obituary signals The Lily in 1909 as the role that brought her stardom as an emotional actress. Her stage career peaked with Raimunda in The Passion Flower (1920), and she eventually went into motion pictures.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.