Florence Dagmar

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Florence Dagmar
Dagmar in 1918
Born
Florence Dagmar Oberg

(1895-10-22)October 22, 1895
DiedMay 7, 1986(1986-05-07) (aged 90)
OccupationActress
Spouse
Roy Somers
(m. 1917)

Florence Dagmar Oberg (October 22, 1895 – May 7, 1986) was an American silent film actress. She had several leading roles and worked for the Famous Players–Lasky film company, appearing at least twice with Thomas Meighan and Victor Moore while being directed by Cecil B. DeMille.[1]

Born to Swedish parents in Oregon, Dagmar was a stage actress in the Pacific Northwest before relocating with her family to Los Angeles and pursuing a film career. She began her film career in 1914, appearing in several features including DeMille's The Man from Home. She subsequently appeared in DeMille's Kindling (1915). Other credits include the drama Blackbirds, the Western Chimmie Fadden Out West, and The Clown.

Biography[edit]

Dagmar was born in Portland, Oregon in 1895.[2] Both her parents were immigrants from Sweden.[a] She was active in stock theater in San Francisco,[4] Seattle and Spokane, Washington, prior to becoming a film actress, often appearing in ingenue roles.[5] As a child, she relocated to Los Angeles with her parents, and embarked on a career in films.[5] In Los Angeles, Dagmar became affiliated with Constance Crawley and film director Arthur Maude.[5]

After appearing in films for Phillips Smalley, Dagmar was noticed by Cecil B. DeMille, who offered her a film contract with the Players Lasky, which she accepted.[5] Her first appearance for DeMille was in The Call of the North (1914).[5] In 1917, Dagmar married Roy Somers, a fellow actor in the Players Lasky.[6] Her role in 1915's Young Romance was praised by The Owensboro Messenger, who noted that she "raises her "bit" to a place among the principals."[7]

Death[edit]

Dagmar died in Sacramento, California on May 7, 1986.[2]

Filmography[edit]

Key
Denotes a lost or presumed lost film
Woman staring right
Dagmar in The Clown (1916)
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1914 The Man from Home Elodie
1914 Ready Money Ida Tyler
1914 The Circus Man Christine Braddock
1915 Young Romance Lou [7]
1915 The Country Boy Jane Belknap
1915 A Gentlemen of Leisure Kate
1915 Snobs
1915 Kindling Alice Burke-Smith
1915 Blackbirds Miss Crocker
1915 Chimmie Fadden Out West Betty Van Courtlandt [2]
1916 Pudd'nhead Wilson Rowena Cooper [8]
1916 The Clown Millicent, His Daughter [5]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Census records show that Dagmar (born Florence Dagmar Oberg), residing in Los Angeles in 1900, age 5, was the daughter of Anna and David Oberg, natives of Sweden.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Moving Picture World". World Photographic Publishing Company. January 31, 1916 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c "Florence Dagmar". BFI. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021.
  3. ^ "Oberg, Florence", United States census, 1900; Los Angeles, California; roll T623 00020, page 2B, line 84, enumeration district 52, Family History film 124009.
  4. ^ "In Her Realm". Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. August 11, 1915. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Florence Dagmar in "The Clown"". The Moving Picture World. Vol. 28. May 20, 1916. p. 1346 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Vazzana, Eugene Michael (2001). Silent Film Necrology. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-786-41059-0.
  7. ^ a b "Young Romance". The Owensboro Messenger. Owensboro, Kentucky. May 16, 1915. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "In Manhattan". Brooklyn Life. Brooklyn, New York City. January 29, 1916. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.

External links[edit]