Cleo Madison

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Cleo Madison
Born (1883-03-26)March 26, 1883
Bloomington, Illinois, United States
Died March 11, 1964(1964-03-11) (aged 80)
Burbank, California, United States
Spouse(s) Don Peake (1916-?)

Cleo Madison (March 26, 1883 – March 11, 1964) was a theatrical and silent film actress from Bloomington, Illinois. Madison attended what is now Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Her family moved to California after she left school.

She made her first professional appearances on the Burbank and Belasco stages in 1911. Her initial engagement was in Santa Barbara, California. She played the role of the mother in Captain Swift. In March 1912 she debuted as the leading woman of Ernest Shipman's stock company in Phoenix, Arizona. Her first production was When We Were Twenty-One.

For a few years Madison appeared in western films with Dave Hartford and Walter Kerrigan. She became the head of her own company, during which time she was directed ably by Wilfred Lucas.

Madison demonstrated her dedication and versatility in The Trey o' Hearts (1914), which was produced by Universal Pictures. The film featured the actress in shipwreck scenes. The filming was done in Bear Canyon, Devil Canyon, San Diego, California, Coronado, California, Tijuana, Mexico, Point Loma, California, San Pedro, California, and Dead Man's Island. Madison played three roles in the movie's fifteen instalments. Two of the characters she portrayed were Judith Trine and Rose Trine.

She was enthusiastic about cars and driving. Madison purchased a 1915 auto manufactured by the Haynes Automobile Company in December 1914. In her work for the Universal Gold Seal Company she occasionally drove a car.

In November 1916 Madison married Don Peake of San Francisco, California. He was western sales manager of the Briscoe Motor Corporation. Before her marriage she resided with her sister, Helen, in a bungalow in Hollywood. Helen was disabled and used a wheelchair. She was nicknamed Sunshine for her bright disposition. By 1916 she had been an invalid for eight years. Madison was especially devoted to her care.

Madison was signed by Metro Pictures in June 1920 to play in Big Game. Written by Willard Robertson and Kilbourn Gordon, the play was first produced at the Hudson Theater in New York City. It was adapted for the screen by Ruth Baldwin. She is buried in Glendale's Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery.

Partial filmography

References

  • Atlanta Constitution, Motion Picture News, October 4, 1914, Page 39.
  • Los Angeles Times, Cleo Madison, March 19, 1912, Page II4.
  • Los Angeles Times, Strenuous Job For Actress, August 12, 1914, Page III4.
  • Los Angeles Times, Popular Model For One of the Film Favorites, December 20, 1914, Page VII5.
  • Los Angeles Times, Film Star Weds at Photoplay Scene, November 26, 1916, Page IV12.
  • Los Angeles Times, Cleo Madison Stays With Metro, June 6, 1920, Page III16.

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