- Born
- Died
- Clarine Seymour born to Albert and Florence Seymour in Brooklyn, New York in 1898. Her father ran a ribbon manufacturing business, in 1917 her father became so ill that he had no choice but to close his successful business and so Clarine secured work through the Thanhouser Film Company, which was located in New Rochelle, as a result of her work through that company , she obtained work through Pathe in a Pearl White serial and also in 1917 she appeared opposite Mollie King in 'Mystery of the Double Cross', followed in Toto the Clown comedies for the Robin Film Co and also appeared in many Al Christie comedies, she excepted an offer from D.W. Griffith who directed her in 'The Girl Who Stayed at Home' (1919) and 'True Heart Susie' (1919) opposite Lillian Gish and in Scarlet Days (1919). In 1920 Clarine became famous after starring in 'The Idol Dancer' the public loved her, shortly after that film's release she signed a four year contract, her next role was 'Way Down East' However, half way through production Clarine suddenly died unexpectedly from an intestinal ailment following an operation at Misericordia Hospital in New York at the age of 21. Mary Hay took over her role and the film was a box office success.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Paul Rothwell-Smith
- Clarine Seymour was born in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in a wealthy Methodist family. As a child she performed in church plays with her mother. In 1916 her father became ill and was forced to close his business. Clarine began working as a movie extra to help support her family. She appeared in several short films and danced in vaudeville. Hal Roach offered her a contract in 1917 and she moved to Los Angeles. She was given the female lead in a series of comedy films starring Toto the clown. After making a few films Roach fired her for refusing to do some dangerous stunts. Clarine sued him for breaking her contract and was awarded more than $1,300 in damages. In 1919 D.W. Griffith cast her in his drama The Girl Who Stayed Home. Her performance got good reviews and she was cast as a seductive native woman in The Idol Dancer.
She loved playing dramatic roles and said she never wanted to do comedy again. In early 1920 D.W. Griffith signed her to a four year contract rumored to be worth two million dollars. Clarine was becoming a popular actress and was featured on the cover of Motion Picture magazine. She went to New York City in March of 1920 to make the romantic drama Way Down East. On April 21 she became ill and was hospitalized due to "intestinal strangulation". She underwent surgery but her condition got worse and she developed pneumonia. Sadly she died on April 25, 1920. Clarine was only 21 years old. She was buried at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, New York. There were rumors that her death was caused by a botched abortion or from exposure to freezing temperatures during the filming of Way Down East. Her friend Lillian Gish claimed that Clarine was engaged to be married when she died. In one of her final interviews Clarine said "I want to go on working and learning for a long time yet. Then if I am worth it, I hope for stardom like all the rest."- IMDb Mini Biography By: Elizabeth Ann
- Upon her death, her remains were interred at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, Westchester County, New York. The location plot is Hedgemont Acre, W half lost 106, grave 4.
- Producer Hal Roach fried Clarine in 1918. He would later claim Clarine died because she partied and used drugs with actress Mabel Normand.
- Shortly before she died Clarine became engaged to William M. Merrick, a wealthy silk manufacturer.
- I think what people call luck is really, in reality, destiny. I don't think that there is such a thing as purposeful 'luck' in the world!
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