Mabel Trunnelle

Her last film was in 1923's THE LOVE TRAP. At 44 she went back to the stage.

Her English-born husband, distinguished-looking Herbert Prior was also a pioneering film actor. The couple appeared together in several Edison films and, after seven years there, were released by the studio in 1917. After that she lost interest in her career and retired while he went on to do supports and walk-ons well into the sound era.

In 1911 she was in A MODERN CINDERELLA, IN THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY, and THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER, the latter being the most notable.

One of Hollywood's first movie stars, she was closed identified with the lesser Edison Studios and was promoted as early as 1910. The tall, slender, dark-haired, pleasant-looking actress with expressive eyes became popular in both comedy and drama although was sadly underused in quality material. She was eventually eclipsed by Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish.

Had considerable stage experience by the time she moved into films in 1907 at age 28. Met and married husband Prior while performing in stock and before entering films.

Mabel Trunnelle was born in Dwight, Illinois on November 8, 1879. A stage actress from the East Coast, Mabel was 32 when she appeared on the silver screen.