Merna Kennedy


Merna Kennedy was an American actress of the late silent era and the transitional period into talkies.

Career

She was born in Kankakee to Maud and John Kahler, a German American butcher turned chiropractor. After her parents separated her mother took her children to California, marrying 2 years after into a grocers provider, and changing their family name to Kennedy. Very early at the outbreak of World War I, from the age of seven Merna and her brother, Melvin Kennedy known as Merle, prepped by their mother toured as a dancing and singing siblings act the Orpheum and Pantages theater circuits of vaudeville where she became acquainted with Lita Grey. He broke his leg ending the duo, prompting Grey to suggest silent films.
Kennedy was best known during her brief career for her role opposite Charlie Chaplin in the silent film The Circus. A role she was brought to the attention of Chaplin for by her friend Lita Grey, who became Chaplin's second wife in 1924. A dancer, she had muscular legs which helped her gain the role of the circus bareback rider.
Kennedy continued acting after The Circus, starring in early sound films, but retired in 1934 when she married choreographer/director Busby Berkeley on February 10, 1934 at Hollywood United Methodist Church. Their marriage broke up by 1936.
Kennedy died of a heart attack, aged 36, four days after her marriage to Master Sergeant Forrest Brayton,on December 20, 1944 in California. She is buried at Pinecrest Cemetery.

Filmography

Silent Films