Iris Stuart

Iris Stuart (February 2, 1903 – December 21, 1936) was a motion picture actress of the silent film era.

Model

Born as Frances McCann, she attended secretarial school before becoming a magazine cover girl who was much favored by artists. Her picture was used as a model for a jewelry advertisement.

Film Actress

She was signed by Paramount Pictures associate producer B.P. Schulberg to a long-term contract with Famous Players in July 1926. She was first cast in a Bebe Daniels film entitled Stranded in Paris (1926). She played "Theresa Halstead", the films' second lead. She obtained the role quite by accident. Director Arthur Rosson asked to view a screen test of another actress and the projection operator mixed up the reels. Rosson quickly decided on Stuart for the part. The story was adapted from a play called Jenny's Escapade.

In January 1927 she was selected with twelve other young actresses as a WAMPAS Baby Star of 1927. Some of the other women named were Sally Phipps, Natalie Kingston, Sally Rand and Helene Costello.

Illness

Stuart's health declined so rapidly that physicians advised her to admit herself to a southern California sanitarium in February 1927. Her constitution was fragile and was weakened further by work and nervous strain.

Comeback and Marriage

She returned to films in December 1927 against the wishes of her family. Stuart signed a new contract with Paramount-Famous-Lasky Corporation in January 1928. Her first role in her comeback was not immediately decided upon. The following month she secretly wed wealthy New York magazine publisher, Bert A. Mackinnon, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She took out a marriage license using her true name, Iris McCann. The couple postponed plans for a honeymoon and resided temporarily at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Death

Iris Stuart died in New York City in 1936, aged 33.

References

• Los Angeles Times, Paramount Has New Beauty, July 30, 1926, Page A8.
• Los Angeles Times, Magazine Cover Girl Busy, September 17, 1926, Page A8.
• Los Angeles Times, New Baby Stars Stud Film Firmament, January 7, 1927, Page A1.
• Los Angeles Times, Illness May Bar Path To Stardom, February 24, 1927, Page A1.
• Los Angeles Times, Baby Star Returns To Film City, December 3, 1927, Page A1.
• Los Angeles Times, Iris Stuart, Bride of Magazine Publisher, January 4, 1928, Page A15.
• Los Angeles Times, Iris Stuart Signs Contract, January 17, 1928, Page A10.
• New York Times, Iris Stuart, Baby Star, Stricken, February 25, 1927, Page 25.
• Port Arthur News, Hollywood, Sunday, January 1, 1928, Page 16.