Helen Ferguson

Helen Ferguson (July 23, 1901 – March 14, 1977)[1] was an American actress later turned publicist.

This article is about the American actress. For the British novelist who became Anna Kavan, see Anna Kavan.
Helen Ferguson
Born(1901-07-23)July 23, 1901
Decatur, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 1977(1977-03-14) (aged 75)
Clearwater, Florida, U.S.
OccupationActress, publicist
Spouse(s)
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(m. 1925; died 1929)​

Richard L. Hargreaves
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(m. 1930; died 1941)​

Biography

Born in Decatur, Illinois,[2] in 1901, Ferguson graduated from Nicholas High School of Chicago and the Academy of Fine Arts. Ferguson was a newspaper reporter before entering the motion picture field.

Ferguson began working in films as a stunt girl when she was 12 years old,[3] although her first recorded credits are in 1917. She soon starred in roles for Fox Film Corporation by 1920, which is when her career really took off with films such as Hungry Hearts (1922) for Samuel Goldwyn. She was cast mostly in westerns, comedies, and serials. She was selected as a WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1922.

Helen Ferguson (1923)

On June 21, 1925, Ferguson married actor William Russell,[4] who died in 1929.[2] The following year, she married businessman Richard L. Hargreaves.[3] Following her second marriage, she left films to concentrate on stage work, though she only received minimal success in this medium.

In 1933, she left acting altogether to become a publicity and public relations counselor,[2] a job that made her a major power in Hollywood, because she was representing such big name stars as Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Robert Taylor, among others. Ferguson represented actress Loretta Young for more than nineteen years. She kept reporters from needlessly disturbing Young and was considered one of the foremost "suppress agents" in Hollywood.

The front of her publicity office was photographed by Ansel Adams for the March 1941 edition of Fortune magazine and shown in the March 17, 2008, episode of California's Gold.

In 1941, her second husband died and she retired from publicity work in 1967.

Death

Ferguson died in Clearwater, Florida in 1977, aged 75. She is buried at Forest Lawn Glendale in Glendale, California.[5]

Recognition

Ferguson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to Motion Pictures at 6153 Hollywood Blvd.[6]

Partial filmography

References
  1. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 49. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  2. Wildhack, Bill (May 29, 1951). "Loretta Young's 'Counselor' a Star, Too". The Indianapolis News. Indiana, Indianapolis. p. 10. Retrieved 25 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Anderson, Nancy (September 17, 1973). "Helen Ferguson tells of brass bed". Greeley Daily Tribune. Colorado, Greeley. Copley News Service. p. 27. Retrieved 24 June 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Helen Ferguson to Wed Veteran Film Star". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. United Press. June 21, 1925. p. 1. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  5. Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 14960-14961). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
  6. "Helen Ferguson". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  • Oakland Tribune, "Helen Ferguson to Wed Veteran Film Star", June 21, 1925, p. 1
  • Pasadena Independent Star-News, "Loretta Young", March 6, 1960, p. 86
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