Claire McDowell
Acting
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
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring Claire McDowell
Boys Town
1938
Test Pilot
1938
Filmography
Acting (254)
1945
Adventureas Woman in Library (uncredited)
6.4
1944
Andy Hardy's Blonde Troubleas Dr. Standish's Servant (uncredited)
6.3
1944
Men on Her Mindas Mother Goodwin
6.5
1943
Du Barry Was a Ladyas Subway Passenger (uncredited)
6.5
1943
This Land Is Mineas Woman in Bathroom
7.1
1943
Presenting Lily Marsas Dowager
6.4
6.6
1943
Hangmen Also Die!as Counterwoman (uncredited)
6.9
1941
Lady Scarfaceas Mrs. Tuckerman
5.4
1941
Whispersas Gossip (uncredited)
8.0
1940
Dr. Kildare Goes Homeas Nurse for Mr. Winslow (uncredited)
6.8
1940
The Golden Fleecingas Pedestrian (uncredited)
5.9
1940
A Failure at Fiftyas Minor Role (uncredited)
5.5
1940
Young Tom Edisonas Woman at Station
5.9
1939
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the Presidentas Gossiper
5.0
1939
Thunder Afloatas Nurse (uncredited)
6.1
1939
One Against the Worldas Jane Todd Crawford (uncredited)
8.0
1939
Miracles for Saleas Jack of Diamonds Woman
6.4
1939
Angel of Mercyas Mother (uncredited)
7.7
1939
Idiot's Delightas Crying Mother
6.1
1939
Stand Up and Fightas Woman
6.0
1938
Boys Townas Nun (uncredited)
6.8
1938
The Man on the Rockas Napoleon's Mother (uncredited)
6.3
1938
They're Always Caughtas Mrs. Fletcher (uncredited)
6.3
1938
Three Comradesas Landlady Frau Zalewski (uncredited)
7.2
1938
Test Pilotas Funeral Home Associate (uncredited)
6.1
1937
A Night at the Moviesas Movie Patron (uncredited)
5.9
1937
Two-Fisted Sheriffas Miss Herrick - Molly's Aunt
3.8
1937
Song of Revoltas Artistocratic Dowager (uncredited)
6.3
1936
Small Town Girlas Woman in Bed (uncredited)
6.0
1936
August Week Endas Alma Washburne
6.0
1935
Murder by Televisionas Mrs. Houghland
4.2
1934
Imitation of Lifeas Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited)
7.0
1934
Two Heads on a Pillowas Mrs. Helen Gorman
7.0
1934
British Agentas Woman Saying 'Lenin will Live' (uncredited)
5.8
1934
Dr. Monicaas Miss Bryerly (uncredited)
5.0
1934
Journal of a Crimeas Sister at Hospital (uncredited)
5.9
1934
It Happened One Nightas Mother on Bus (uncredited)
7.8
1934
Bedsideas Nurse
5.6
1933
Wild Boys of the Roadas Mrs. Smith
6.8
1933
By Appointment Onlyas Mrs. Mary Carroll
6.5
1933
The Working Manas Benjamin's Secretary
6.5
1933
Central Airportas Mrs. Blaine
6.0
1932
Lawyer Manas Gilmurry's Secretary (uncredited)
6.1
1932
A Successful Calamityas Struthers' Secretary (uncredited)
5.6
1932
The Phantom Expressas Ma Nolan
5.0
1932
Corneredas Jane's Aunt
7.5
1932
The Strange Love of Molly Louvainas Ann Marie's Caregiver Mrs. Schiller (uncredited)
6.1
1932
The Famous Ferguson Caseas Brooks' Landlady (uncredited)
6.6
1932
Union Depotas Little Boy's Mother (uncredited)
6.1
1932
Under Eighteenas Seamstress (uncredited)
6.3
1931
Manhattan Paradeas Nancy - the Maid
3.2
1931
An American Tragedyas Mrs. Samuel Griffiths
6.3
1930
Mothers Cryas Mary's Mother
5.7
1930
Brothersas Bess Naughton
9.0
1930
Wild Companyas Mrs. Laura Grayson
7.0
1930
The Big Houseas Mrs. Marlowe
6.6
1930
Young Desireas Mrs. Spencer
7.0
1930
The Second Floor Mysteryas Aunt Hattie
8.0
1930
Redemptionas Anna Pavlovna
5.7
1929
The Quitteras Mrs. Abbott
8.0
1929
Silks and Saddlesas Mrs. Calhoun
10.0
1929
The Flying Fleetas Mrs. Hastings (uncredited)
6.9
1929
When Dreams Come Trueas Martha Shelby
9.0
1928
Marriage by Contractas Mother
10.0
1928
The Vikingas Lady Editha (as Claire MacDowell)
6.8
1928
4 Devilsas Woman
7.6
1928
Don't Marryas Aunt Abigail Bowen
10.0
1928
The Tragedy of Youthas Mother
3.0
1927
Almost Humanas Mrs. Livingston
8.3
1927
The Shield of Honoras Mrs. MacDowell
6.0
1927
Winds of the Pampasas Doña Maria Casandos
7.0
1927
Tillie the Toileras Ma Jones
8.0
1927
The Black Diamond Expressas Martha Foster
9.0
1927
The Taxi Danceras Aunt Mary
7.7
1927
The Auctioneeras Mrs. Tim Eagan
9.0
1927
A Little Journeyas Aunt Louise
8.0
1926
The Flaming Forestas Mrs. McTavish
9.0
1926
The Show Offas Mom Fisher
7.2
1926
The Unknown Soldieras John Phillips' sister
7.0
1926
The Shamrock Handicapas Molly O'Shea
5.5
1926
The Dixie Merchantas Josephine Fippany
7.0
1926
The Devil's Circusas Mrs. Peterson
6.8
1925
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christas Princess of Hur
7.3
1925
The Midnight Flyeras Liza Slater
10.0
1925
The Big Paradeas Mrs. Apperson
7.6
1925
The Tower of Liesas Katrina
10.0
1925
Dollar Downas Mrs. Meadows
7.0
1925
The End of the Worldas Mrs. Joyce
8.0
1925
The End of the Worldas Mrs. Joyce
1925
Waking Up the Townas Mrs. Joyce
8.0
1925
The Reckless Sexas Concha
1924
Those Who Dareas Mrs. Rollins
8.0
1924
Secretsas Elizabeth Channing
6.0
1924
Thy Name Is Womanas Juan's Mother
7.0
1924
Judgment of the Stormas Mrs. Heath
8.0
1923
Black Oxenas Agnes Trevor
5.8
1923
Enemies of Childrenas Godfrey sister
9.0
1923
Ponjolaas Mrs. Hope
7.5
1923
Ashes of Vengeanceas Margot's Aunt
6.0
1923
Circus Daysas Martha
7.3
1923
Human Wreckageas Mrs. Brown
7.0
1923
Michael O'Halloranas Nancy Harding
10.0
1923
The West~Bound Limitedas Mrs. Bill Buckley
6.3
1922
Quincy Adams Sawyeras Mrs. Putnam
10.0
1922
Heart's Havenas May Caroline
7.0
1922
Nice Peopleas Margaret Rainsford
8.0
1922
The Ragged Heiressas Sylvia Moreton
7.0
1922
Penrodas Mrs. Schofield
10.0
1922
Rent Freeas Countess de Mourney
9.0
1921
Love Never Diesas Liz Trott
5.8
1921
Wealthas Mrs. Dominick
10.0
1921
Mother o' Mineas Mrs. Sheldon
8.0
1921
What Every Woman Knowsas Comtesse de la Brière
10.0
1921
Midsummer Madnessas Mrs. Osborne
3.3
1921
Prisoners of Loveas Her Mother
8.0
1920
The Mark of Zorroas Dona Catalina Pulido
7.2
1920
Something to Think Aboutas Housekeeper
6.8
1920
The Jack-Knife Manas Lize Merdin
6.5
1920
Through Eyes of Menas Mrs. Virginia All
7.0
1920
The Gift Supremeas Lalia Graun
7.0
1920
Blind Youthas Elizabeth Monnier
7.0
1920
The Devil's Riddleas Mrs. Potts
9.0
1920
The Woman in the Suitcaseas Mrs. James B. Moreland
4.1
1919
The Feudas Mary Lynch
7.0
1919
Heart o' the Hillsas Martha Hawn
6.3
1919
Chasing Rainbowsas Mrs. Walters
1919
Prudence on Broadwayas Miss Grayson
10.0
1919
The Follies Girlas Nina
8.0
7.0
1918
The Return of Maryas Mrs. John Denby Sr.
1918
You Can't Believe Everythingas Grace Dardley
1918
Captain of His Soulas Annette
10.0
1917
10.0
1917
The Empty Gunas Mary
1917
The Clean-Upas Vera Vincent
1917
The Bronze Brideas A-Che-Chee
1917
The Gates of Doomas Indore / Agatha
1917
Avariceas The Miserly Old Woman
1917
The White Ravenas Daisy
5.5
1916
The Right to Be Happyas Mrs. Cratchit
10.0
1916
Mixed Bloodas Nita Valyez
1916
A Stranger from Somewhereas Olga
1915
Cupid Entangledas The Actress
1915
As It Happenedas The Ranchman's Daughter
1915
Old Offendersas Joe's Wife
1915
Her Convertas The Old Inventor's Daughter
1915
The Way Outas The Young School Teacher
1915
Her Dormant Loveas The Discontented Wife
1915
Truth Stranger Than Fictionas Crook
1915
The Canceled Mortgageas The Widowed Mother
10.0
1915
A Day's Adventureas Hogan's Moll
1915
The Gambler's I.O.U.as Nell - Daddy Wilson's Daughter
1915
The Miser's Legacyas The Crook's Wife
1915
The Sheriff's Dilemmaas Molly
1915
The Heart of a Banditas Claire
1914
Men and Womenas Mrs. Stephen Rodman
1914
Her Handas Olga
8.0
1914
A Nest Unfeatheredas Kate
1914
His Fireman's Conscienceas Mrs. Daily
8.0
1914
1914
Concentrationas The Mother
1913
The Abandoned Wellas The Widow
9.0
1913
The House of Discordas The Sister-in-Law
1913
All for Scienceas Detective
7.0
1913
The Detective's Stratagemas Kate, the Bank Clerk's Sweetheart
7.0
1913
The Stopped Clockas The Antique Dealer's Daughter
9.0
1913
The Van Nostrand Tiaraas Kate
9.0
1913
A Tender-Hearted Crookas Edith
1913
The Law and His Sonas Marguerite, Manning's Sister
8.0
1913
The Stolen Treatyas Olga
1913
The Strong Man's Burdenas Ida Glynn, The Nurse
7.0
1913
The Crook and the Girlas The Uncle's Adopted Daughter
1913
The Work Habitas The Daughter in the City
9.0
1913
Under the Shadow of the Lawas John Haywood's Sister
6.0
1913
I Was Meant for Youas Lavina
10.0
1913
The Vengeance of Galoraas Galora
1913
A Misappropriated Turkeyas Mrs. Fallon / Widow Logan
1913
The Mirroras Daisy
1913
A Gambler's Honoras Beth
1913
A Gamble with Deathas Kate
10.0
1913
The Switchtoweras The Switchman's Wife
5.0
1913
The Wellas The Farmer's Wife
1913
The Enemy's Babyas Miller's Wife
1913
The Ranchero's Revengeas The Schemer's Associate
1913
Olaf—An Atomas A Parent
1913
The Stolen Loafas The Rich Woman
1913
The House of Darknessas The Doctor's Wife
5.0
1913
The Tenderfoot's Moneyas The Prospector's Wife
9.0
1913
The Wandereras The Female Lover
5.4
1913
The Stolen Brideas The Wife
1913
The Unwelcome Guestas The Wife
5.0
1913
The Wrong Bottleas The Blind Sister
1913
The Telephone Girl and the Ladyas The Lady
5.7
1912
The God Withinas The Woodsman's Wife
1912
A Cry for Helpas The Thief's Wife - the Charity Patient
1912
The Massacreas Stephen's Belle - In Prologue
5.9
1912
The New York Hatas The Main Gossip
5.6
1912
A Sailor’s Heartas The Sailor's Third Sweetheart
1912
In the Aisles of the Wildas The Elder Daughter
1912
So Near, Yet So Faras Rich Woman in Other Town
5.9
1912
Two Daughters of Eveas The Mother
1912
Man's Genesisas Cave Woman
4.6
1912
The School Teacher and the Waifas The Street Fakir's Sweetheart
4.8
1912
Lena and the Geeseas Lena's Mother
4.9
1912
A Temporary Truceas Mexican Jim's Wife
4.0
1912
When the Fire-Bells Rangas An Actress
1912
The Old Actoras At Audition
5.4
1912
The Female of the Speciesas The Miner's Wife
4.2
1912
A String of Pearlsas The Italian Shoemaker's Wife
1912
The Sunbeamas The Spinster
6.3
1912
The Sands of Deeas Artist's fiancee
5.6
1912
Under Burning Skiesas The Friend
4.7
1912
Billy's Stratagemas Billy's Mother
5.0
1912
The Baby and the Storkas The Mother
1912
The Baby and the Storkas The Workman
1911
A Woman Scornedas The Doctor's Wife
1911
The Long Roadas Ned's Wife
1911
The Adventures of Billyas Rich Woman
5.7
1911
1911
The Squaw's Loveas Silver Fawn
5.0
1911
Swords and Heartsas Irene Lambert
4.6
1911
The Sorrowful Exampleas The Wife
1911
A Country Cupidas The Half-Wit's Mother
5.6
1911
The Primal Callas The Woman
4.0
1911
The Manicure Ladyas Lunchroom Hostess
5.0
1911
The Broken Crossas Kate's Mother
1911
The Spanish Gypsyas Paula
1911
A Decree of Destinyas A Nun
1911
Fisher Folksas At Fair
1911
What Shall We Do with Our Old?as The Old Carpenter's Wife
5.5
1911
Fate's Turningas At Hotel/At Wedding
5.0
1911
His Trust Fulfilledas Mrs. Frazier
3.7
1911
His Trustas Col. Frazier's wife
4.1
1910
The Golden Supperas Lady-in-Waiting
4.5
1910
1910
Waiter No. 5as The Chief of Police's Wife
1910
The Message of the Violinas The Other Woman's Servant
1910
5.2
1910
The Oath and the Manas Rebel
4.5
1910
1910
Muggsy Becomes a Heroas One of the Sisters Frost
5.0
1910
Wilful Peggyas Housemaid
5.0
1910
The Usureras Despairing Mother / One of the Third Debtors
5.0
1910
A Flash of Lightas At First Party
5.0
4.7
1908
The Call of the Wildas Party Guest
3.1
1908
The Planter's Wifeas Mrs. John Holland
5.0
1908
1.5