Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
October 31, 1877
Died
October 23, 1966 (age 88)
Place of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
Also Known As
Claire MacDowell
Clare Mc Dowell
Doris Carlton
Claire McDowell
Biography
Claire McDowell (2 November 1877 – 23 October 1966) was an American actress. She appeared in 360 films between 1908 and 1945.
Still somewhat of a youthful beauty when she started in early silent films, McDowell appeared in numerous films, eventually graduating to playing character and mother types. She can be seen to good advantage in Douglas Fairbanks's 1920 The Mark of Zorro. McDowell appeared in two of the biggest films of the silent era, The Big Parade (1925) and Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925), both in which she played mothers.
She was married to silent screen character actor Charles Hill Mailes from 1906 to his 1937 death. The couple appeared in numerous silent films together, including The Mark of Zorro. They had two sons, Robert Mailes and Eugene Mailes.
Claire McDowell died, aged 88, in Hollywood, California.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Known For
TV
MGM Parade
Self
1955
Film
It Happened One Night
Mother on Bus (uncredited)
1934
Film
Boys Town
Nun (uncredited)
1938
Film
Hangmen Also Die!
Counterwoman (uncredited)
1943
Film
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Princess of Hur
1925
Film
Keeper of the Flame
1943
Film
This Land Is Mine
Woman in Bathroom
1943
Film
Three Comrades
Landlady Frau Zalewski (uncredited)
1938
Film
Imitation of Life
Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)
1934
Film
Test Pilot
Funeral Home Associate (uncredited)
1938
Film
Stand Up and Fight
Woman
1939
Film
The Big Parade
Mrs. Apperson
1925
Film
Du Barry Was a Lady
Subway Passenger (uncredited)
1943
Film
Miracles for Sale
Jack of Diamonds Woman
1939
Film
The Working Man
Benjamin's Secretary
1933
Film
Lady Scarface
Mrs. Tuckerman
1941
Film
The Big House
Mrs. Marlowe
1930
Film
Wild Company
Mrs. Laura Grayson
1930
Film
Idiot's Delight
Crying Mother
1939
Film
The Golden Fleecing
Pedestrian (uncredited)
1940
Filmography
1955TVMGM Paradeas Self1945FilmAdventureas Woman in Library (uncredited)1944FilmAndy Hardy's Blonde Troubleas Dr. Standish's Servant (uncredited)1944FilmMen on Her Mindas Mother Goodwin1943FilmDu Barry Was a Ladyas Subway Passenger (uncredited)1943FilmThis Land Is Mineas Woman in Bathroom1943FilmPresenting Lily Marsas Dowager1943FilmKeeper of the Flame1943FilmHangmen Also Die!as Counterwoman (uncredited)1941FilmLady Scarfaceas Mrs. Tuckerman1941FilmWhispersas Gossip (uncredited)1940FilmDr. Kildare Goes Homeas Nurse for Mr. Winslow (uncredited)1940FilmThe Golden Fleecingas Pedestrian (uncredited)1940FilmA Failure at Fiftyas Minor Role (uncredited)1940FilmYoung Tom Edisonas Woman at Station1939FilmJoe and Ethel Turp Call on the Presidentas Gossiper1939FilmThunder Afloatas Nurse (uncredited)1939FilmOne Against the Worldas Jane Todd Crawford (uncredited)1939FilmMiracles for Saleas Jack of Diamonds Woman1939FilmAngel of Mercyas Mother (uncredited)1939FilmIdiot's Delightas Crying Mother1939FilmStand Up and Fightas Woman1938FilmBoys Townas Nun (uncredited)1938FilmThe Man on the Rockas Napoleon's Mother (uncredited)1938FilmThey're Always Caughtas Mrs. Fletcher (uncredited)1938FilmThree Comradesas Landlady Frau Zalewski (uncredited)1938FilmTest Pilotas Funeral Home Associate (uncredited)1937FilmA Night at the Moviesas Movie Patron (uncredited)1937FilmTwo-Fisted Sheriffas Miss Herrick - Molly's Aunt1937FilmSong of Revoltas Artistocratic Dowager (uncredited)1936FilmSmall Town Girlas Woman in Bed (uncredited)1936FilmAugust Week Endas Alma Washburne1935FilmMurder by Televisionas Mrs. Houghland1934FilmImitation of Lifeas Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)1934FilmTwo Heads on a Pillowas Mrs. Helen Gorman1934FilmBritish Agentas Woman Saying 'Lenin will Live' (uncredited)1934FilmDr. Monicaas Miss Bryerly (uncredited)1934FilmJournal of a Crimeas Sister at Hospital (uncredited)1934FilmIt Happened One Nightas Mother on Bus (uncredited)1934FilmBedsideas Nurse1933FilmWild Boys of the Roadas Mrs. Smith1933FilmBy Appointment Onlyas Mrs. Mary Carroll1933FilmThe Working Manas Benjamin's Secretary1933FilmCentral Airportas Mrs. Blaine1932FilmLawyer Manas Gilmurry's Secretary (uncredited)1932FilmA Successful Calamityas Struthers' Secretary (uncredited)1932FilmThe Phantom Expressas Ma Nolan1932FilmCorneredas Jane's Aunt1932FilmThe Strange Love of Molly Louvainas Ann Marie's Caregiver Mrs. Schiller (uncredited)1932FilmThe Famous Ferguson Caseas Brooks' Landlady (uncredited)1932FilmUnion Depotas Little Boy's Mother (uncredited)1932FilmUnder Eighteenas Seamstress (uncredited)1931FilmManhattan Paradeas Nancy - the Maid1931FilmAn American Tragedyas Mrs. Samuel Griffiths1930FilmMothers Cryas Mary's Mother1930FilmBrothersas Bess Naughton1930FilmWild Companyas Mrs. Laura Grayson1930FilmThe Big Houseas Mrs. Marlowe1930FilmYoung Desireas Mrs. Spencer1930FilmThe Second Floor Mysteryas Aunt Hattie1930FilmRedemptionas Anna Pavlovna1929FilmThe Quitteras Mrs. Abbott1929FilmSilks and Saddlesas Mrs. Calhoun1929FilmThe Flying Fleetas Mrs. Hastings (uncredited)1929FilmWhen Dreams Come Trueas Martha Shelby1928FilmMarriage by Contractas Mother1928FilmThe Vikingas Lady Editha (as Claire MacDowell)1928Film4 Devilsas Woman1928FilmDon't Marryas Aunt Abigail Bowen1928FilmThe Tragedy of Youthas Mother1927FilmAlmost Humanas Mrs. Livingston1927FilmThe Shield of Honoras Mrs. MacDowell1927FilmWinds of the Pampasas Doña Maria Casandos1927FilmTillie the Toileras Ma Jones1927FilmThe Black Diamond Expressas Martha Foster1927FilmThe Taxi Danceras Aunt Mary1927FilmThe Auctioneeras Mrs. Tim Eagan1927FilmA Little Journeyas Aunt Louise1926FilmThe Flaming Forestas Mrs. McTavish1926FilmThe Show Offas Mom Fisher1926FilmThe Unknown Soldieras John Phillips' sister1926FilmThe Shamrock Handicapas Molly O'Shea1926FilmThe Dixie Merchantas Josephine Fippany1926FilmThe Devil's Circusas Mrs. Peterson1925FilmBen-Hur: A Tale of the Christas Princess of Hur1925FilmThe Midnight Flyeras Liza Slater1925FilmThe Big Paradeas Mrs. Apperson1925FilmThe Tower of Liesas Katrina1925FilmDollar Downas Mrs. Meadows1925FilmThe End of the Worldas Mrs. Joyce1925FilmThe End of the Worldas Mrs. Joyce1925FilmWaking Up the Townas Mrs. Joyce1925FilmThe Reckless Sexas Concha1924FilmThose Who Dareas Mrs. Rollins1924FilmSecretsas Elizabeth Channing1924FilmThy Name Is Womanas Juan's Mother1924FilmJudgment of the Stormas Mrs. Heath1923FilmBlack Oxenas Agnes Trevor1923FilmEnemies of Childrenas Godfrey sister1923FilmPonjolaas Mrs. Hope1923FilmAshes of Vengeanceas Margot's Aunt1923FilmCircus Daysas Martha1923FilmHuman Wreckageas Mrs. Brown1923FilmMichael O'Halloranas Nancy Harding1923FilmThe West~Bound Limitedas Mrs. Bill Buckley1922FilmQuincy Adams Sawyeras Mrs. Putnam1922FilmHeart's Havenas May Caroline1922FilmNice Peopleas Margaret Rainsford1922FilmThe Ragged Heiressas Sylvia Moreton1922FilmPenrodas Mrs. Schofield1922FilmRent Freeas Countess de Mourney1921FilmLove Never Diesas Liz Trott1921FilmWealthas Mrs. Dominick1921FilmMother o' Mineas Mrs. Sheldon1921FilmWhat Every Woman Knowsas Comtesse de la Brière1921FilmMidsummer Madnessas Mrs. Osborne1921FilmPrisoners of Loveas Her Mother1920FilmThe Mark of Zorroas Dona Catalina Pulido1920FilmSomething to Think Aboutas Housekeeper1920FilmThe Jack-Knife Manas Lize Merdin1920FilmThrough Eyes of Menas Mrs. Virginia All1920FilmThe Gift Supremeas Lalia Graun1920FilmBlind Youthas Elizabeth Monnier1920FilmThe Devil's Riddleas Mrs. Potts1920FilmThe Woman in the Suitcaseas Mrs. James B. Moreland1919FilmThe Feudas Mary Lynch1919FilmHeart o' the Hillsas Martha Hawn1919FilmChasing Rainbowsas Mrs. Walters1919FilmPrudence on Broadwayas Miss Grayson1919FilmThe Follies Girlas Nina1919FilmRosalind at Redgate1918FilmThe Return of Maryas Mrs. John Denby Sr.1918FilmYou Can't Believe Everythingas Grace Dardley1918FilmCaptain of His Soulas Annette1917FilmThe Storm Woman1917FilmThe Empty Gunas Mary1917FilmThe Clean-Upas Vera Vincent1917FilmThe Bronze Brideas A-Che-Chee1917FilmThe Gates of Doomas Indore / Agatha1917FilmAvariceas The Miserly Old Woman1917FilmThe White Ravenas Daisy1916FilmThe Right to Be Happyas Mrs. Cratchit1916FilmMixed Bloodas Nita Valyez1916FilmA Stranger from Somewhereas Olga1915FilmAs It Happenedas The Ranchman's Daughter1915FilmOld Offendersas Joe's Wife1915FilmHer Convertas The Old Inventor's Daughter1915FilmThe Way Outas The Young School Teacher1915FilmHer Dormant Loveas The Discontented Wife1915FilmTruth Stranger Than Fictionas Crook1915FilmThe Canceled Mortgageas The Widowed Mother1915FilmA Day's Adventureas Hogan's Moll1915FilmThe Gambler's I.O.U.as Nell - Daddy Wilson's Daughter1915FilmThe Miser's Legacyas The Crook's Wife1915FilmThe Sheriff's Dilemmaas Molly1915FilmThe Heart of a Banditas Claire1914FilmMen and Womenas Mrs. Stephen Rodman1914FilmThe Cracksman's Gratitude1914FilmHer Handas Olga1914FilmHer Father's Silent Partner1914FilmA Nest Unfeatheredas Kate1914FilmHis Fireman's Conscienceas Mrs. Daily1914FilmThe Fatal Wedding1914FilmWaifs1914FilmConcentrationas The Mother1913FilmThe Abandoned Wellas The Widow1913FilmFor Her Government1913FilmThe House of Discordas The Sister-in-Law1913FilmAll for Scienceas Detective1913FilmThe Detective's Stratagemas Kate, the Bank Clerk's Sweetheart1913FilmThe Stopped Clockas The Antique Dealer's Daughter1913FilmThe Van Nostrand Tiaraas Kate1913FilmA Tender-Hearted Crookas Edith1913FilmThe Law and His Sonas Marguerite, Manning's Sister1913FilmThe Stolen Treatyas Olga1913FilmThe Strong Man's Burdenas Ida Glynn, The Nurse1913FilmThe Crook and the Girlas The Uncle's Adopted Daughter1913FilmThe Work Habitas The Daughter in the City1913FilmUnder the Shadow of the Lawas John Haywood's Sister1913FilmI Was Meant for Youas Lavina1913FilmThe Vengeance of Galoraas Galora1913FilmA Misappropriated Turkeyas Mrs. Fallon / Widow Logan1913FilmThe Mirroras Daisy1913FilmA Gambler's Honoras Beth1913FilmA Gamble with Deathas Kate1913FilmThe Switchtoweras The Switchman's Wife1913FilmThe Wellas The Farmer's Wife1913FilmThe Enemy's Babyas Miller's Wife1913FilmThe Ranchero's Revengeas The Schemer's Associate1913FilmOlaf—An Atomas A Parent1913FilmThe Stolen Loafas The Rich Woman1913FilmThe House of Darknessas The Doctor's Wife1913FilmThe Tenderfoot's Moneyas The Prospector's Wife1913FilmThe Wandereras The Female Lover1913FilmThe Stolen Brideas The Wife1913FilmThe Unwelcome Guestas The Wife1913FilmThe Wrong Bottleas The Blind Sister1913FilmThe Telephone Girl and the Ladyas The Lady1912FilmThe God Withinas The Woodsman's Wife1912FilmA Cry for Helpas The Thief's Wife - the Charity Patient1912FilmThe Massacreas Stephen's Belle - In Prologue1912FilmThe New York Hatas The Main Gossip1912FilmA Sailor’s Heartas The Sailor's Third Sweetheart1912FilmIn the Aisles of the Wildas The Elder Daughter1912FilmSo Near, Yet So Faras Rich Woman in Other Town1912FilmTwo Daughters of Eveas The Mother1912FilmMan's Genesisas Cave Woman1912FilmThe School Teacher and the Waifas The Street Fakir's Sweetheart1912FilmLena and the Geeseas Lena's Mother1912FilmA Temporary Truceas Mexican Jim's Wife1912FilmWhen the Fire-Bells Rangas An Actress1912FilmThe Old Actoras At Audition1912FilmThe Female of the Speciesas The Miner's Wife1912FilmA String of Pearlsas The Italian Shoemaker's Wife1912FilmThe Sunbeamas The Spinster1912FilmThe Sands of Deeas Artist's fiancee1912FilmUnder Burning Skiesas The Friend1912FilmBilly's Stratagemas Billy's Mother1912FilmThe Baby and the Storkas The Mother1911FilmA Woman Scornedas The Doctor's Wife1911FilmThe Long Roadas Ned's Wife1911FilmThe Adventures of Billyas Rich Woman1911FilmThe Unveiling1911FilmThe Squaw's Loveas Silver Fawn1911FilmSwords and Heartsas Irene Lambert1911FilmThe Sorrowful Exampleas The Wife1911FilmA Country Cupidas The Half-Wit's Mother1911FilmThe Primal Callas The Woman1911FilmThe Manicure Ladyas Lunchroom Hostess1911FilmThe Broken Crossas Kate's Mother1911FilmThe Spanish Gypsyas Paula1911FilmA Decree of Destinyas A Nun1911FilmFisher Folksas At Fair1911FilmWhat Shall We Do with Our Old?as The Old Carpenter's Wife1911FilmFate's Turningas At Hotel/At Wedding1911FilmHis Trust Fulfilledas Mrs. Frazier1911FilmHis Trustas Col. Frazier's wife1910FilmThe Golden Supperas Lady-in-Waiting1910FilmHis New Lid1910FilmWaiter No. 5as The Chief of Police's Wife1910FilmThe Message of the Violinas The Other Woman's Servant1910FilmThe Iconoclast1910FilmRose o' Salem Town1910FilmThe Oath and the Manas Rebel1910FilmA Mohawk's Way1910FilmMuggsy Becomes a Heroas One of the Sisters Frost1910FilmWilful Peggyas Housemaid1910FilmThe Usureras Despairing Mother / One of the Third Debtors1910FilmA Flash of Lightas At First Party1910FilmLove Among the Roses1908FilmThe Call of the Wildas Party Guest1908FilmThe Planter's Wifeas Mrs. John Holland1908FilmThe Devil