Charlotte Pickford

Charlotte Hennessy (1873 – 22 March 1928), born Elsie Charlotte Printer, and aka Charlotte Smith Pickford, was a Canadian-born, American actress, and the mother of Mary, Lottie, and Jack Pickford. Hennessey was mostly known for her managing and business skills, keeping control of her famous children's careers with their blessing. She took a role in United Artists and the Mary Pickford Film Company until her death. Anita Loos considered her and Peg Talmadge to be some of the smartest women in Hollywood. Many considered her one of the greatest business minds in the industry, negotiating Mary's landmark contracts (including her $1 million a year contract, the first of its kind). Hennessey was a Christian Scientist. She died of breast cancer after refusing surgery, having already gone through several major operations. Mary was deeply affected by her death personally and professionally, famously cutting off her trademark curls shortly afterward. In 1940, Pickford considered making a biographical film about her mother. Pickford was to portray her mother, while Shirley Temple would portray a young Mary. Temple declined and the film was never made. Mother of actors, Jack, Mary and Lottie Pickford. They are all interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. She was 55 years old at the time of her death. She was born in either 1873 or 1872. She was born January 1, 1873 in Toronto, Ontario Canada to Catholic parents from County Kerry, Ireland. She married John Charles Smith, a Toronto born Methodist with English ancestry. After her husband's early demise, she took in boarders to help with earning an income. Through early boarders who were actors, the Smith family entered the entertainment business, much to the dismay of their Methodist in-laws. She decided to change her surname and that of her children to her mother's maiden name, Pickford.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 18 2016, 23:25:25 UTC