Estelle Taylor
Birthday:
May 20, 1894 in Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Birth Name:
Ida Estelle Taylor
Height:
164 cm
A former typist, Estelle Taylor married a banker at age 14 and, after leaving him, moved to New York to study dramatic acting. She also modeled for artists and appeared in the chorus of a couple of Broadway shows. In the early 1920s she came to Hollywood and was noted as one of the film state's most beautiful women. In 1925 she married 1920s h...
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A former typist, Estelle Taylor married a banker at age 14 and, after leaving him, moved to New York to study dramatic acting. She also modeled for artists and appeared in the chorus of a couple of Broadway shows. In the early 1920s she came to Hollywood and was noted as one of the film state's most beautiful women. In 1925 she married 1920s heavyweight champion boxer Jack Dempsey. On the night of December 4, 1944, she spent an evening of dinner and drinks with actress Lupe Velez and was the last person to see Lupe before she committed suicide. Taylor was founder and president of the California Pet Owners' Protective League and was widely known for her devotion to pets. In 1953 served on the Los Angeles City Animal Regulation Commission. Show less «
[in March 1923, when a reporter told her that Cecil B. DeMille was considering her to be his new leading actress] Wouldn't it be wonderful! ...Show more »
[in March 1923, when a reporter told her that Cecil B. DeMille was considering her to be his new leading actress] Wouldn't it be wonderful! Because he can so easily make every one of his actresses someone to really think about. Show less «
My part in Les dix commandements (1923) brought me an avalanche of offers and, somewhat astounded, I accepted the most money, playing in a s...Show more »
My part in Les dix commandements (1923) brought me an avalanche of offers and, somewhat astounded, I accepted the most money, playing in a succession of independent productions. I was too easy-going, too content with the things that were coming my way again - clothes, good living, a luxurious background. I love comfort. Show less «
[on working with William Farnum in The Adventurer (1920)] Mr. Farnum gave me so many valuable suggestions and really brought me to Mr. Fox's...Show more »
[on working with William Farnum in The Adventurer (1920)] Mr. Farnum gave me so many valuable suggestions and really brought me to Mr. Fox's notice. I feel that I owe this opportunity to him. Show less «
[in 1930] Even to this day I'm clothes conscious on the set. When I decided to do Les dix commandements (1923) I had a net suit made that wa...Show more »
[in 1930] Even to this day I'm clothes conscious on the set. When I decided to do Les dix commandements (1923) I had a net suit made that was skin tight and completely covered me. You couldn't see through it but it didn't pick up in the camera, so cleverly was it made. I always thought Mr. DeMille was a good sport to humor me in that. Show less «
Upon completion of Playthings of Desire (1924), in which I also played, Cecil B. DeMille sent for me. When I entered his office I noticed th...Show more »
Upon completion of Playthings of Desire (1924), in which I also played, Cecil B. DeMille sent for me. When I entered his office I noticed that he was writing. As he continued to write I had ample opportunity to study the room. One thing I liked particularly was a boat standing on a table. On the walls were knives, oriental and antique, all sorts of knives - more of a collection than I'd ever seen before. On the floor were several beautiful fur rugs. My gaze was resting on one of them when, at last, he stopped his writing, looked up from his desk and let me know he was aware of my presence. Mr. DeMille asked several questions about what I'd done. I named some of the pictures in which I had played the leads. He then told me that he planned, in the near future, to put on Les dix commandements (1923). "Do you know them - the ten commandments, I mean?" he inquired. "I know the more important ones, anyway," I answered. A few days later I signed a contract with Mr. DeMille to play the part of Miriam, Moses' sister. Show less «
I never had sung in my life. Then I got a sore throat and the doctor took out my tonsils. He looked in my throat when it was healing and tol...Show more »
I never had sung in my life. Then I got a sore throat and the doctor took out my tonsils. He looked in my throat when it was healing and told me I would have to take vocal lessons or my throat would be stiff. So I went to a teacher and he had me sing. That was how I found that I had a voice. Show less «
[on her three failed marriages] About politics, I'm smart, but about men I'm stupid.
[on her three failed marriages] About politics, I'm smart, but about men I'm stupid.
[on her return to films in 1944] Just call it second mortgage on a career. I hate comebacks. They didn't pull me out of the gutter. I wasn't...Show more »
[on her return to films in 1944] Just call it second mortgage on a career. I hate comebacks. They didn't pull me out of the gutter. I wasn't dead. Show less «
[1944] There's no age on comedy or character roles. I've always been a character actress but nobody gave me a chance. I didn't even know it.
[1944] There's no age on comedy or character roles. I've always been a character actress but nobody gave me a chance. I didn't even know it.
[on sex appeal] Sex is something you sense, not something you cover with a sweater.
[on sex appeal] Sex is something you sense, not something you cover with a sweater.
[on her debut in silent films] I didn't have the technical background. They cast me as a snooty socialite, carrying a lorgnette and serving ...Show more »
[on her debut in silent films] I didn't have the technical background. They cast me as a snooty socialite, carrying a lorgnette and serving tea. I'd never been to a tea in my life. But now I know how to act. I've just learned that the way to act is not to act. Show less «
[on her 1944 return to Hollywood after eight years] I never fully unpacked my trunks. I knew some day I would come home. Sure, I was born in...Show more »
[on her 1944 return to Hollywood after eight years] I never fully unpacked my trunks. I knew some day I would come home. Sure, I was born in Wilmington, Delaware, but I have a terrific feeling for Hollywood - it's home. Show less «
[1944, reflecting on the idea people had about her when she was a star] I guess I was a little too outspoken. People didn't understand my se...Show more »
[1944, reflecting on the idea people had about her when she was a star] I guess I was a little too outspoken. People didn't understand my sense of humor. It was too sophisticated. I made a lot of cutting remarks that I didn't mean. It was only for laughs, really. Show less «
