Lucille La Verne
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Lucille La Verne (November 8, 1872 – March 4, 1945) was an actress known for her appearances in silent, scolding, and vengeful roles in early color films, as well as for her triumphs on the American stage.
La Verne was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She began her career as a child in local summer stock. As a teenager, she peformed in small touring theater troupes. Her ability to play almost any part quickly caught the attention of more prolific companies, and she made her Broadway debut in 1888. She then became a leading lady with some of the best stock companies in America, scoring triumphs in San Francisco and Boston among other cities. She eventually ran her own successful stock company.
On the New york stage, she was in demand as a character actress, playing almost any type. Her biggest stage triumph came in 1923, when she created the role of Widow Caggle in the hit play Sun Up. Between the Broadway run, US tour, and European tour, La Verne would give over 3,000 performances.
She made her motion picture debut in 1914. Her best known part is that of the voice of the wicked Queen from Disney's 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She died in Culver City, California, after suffering from cancer.
