Mildred Davis


For the suspense/mystery author see Mildred B. Davis
Mildred Hillary Davis was an American actress who appeared in many of Harold Lloyd's classic silent comedies and eventually became his wife.

Early life and career

The daughter of Howard Beckett Davis, she was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and educated at the Friends School. After several years spent studying, she traveled to Los Angeles in the hopes of securing a role in a film. After appearing in several small roles, she caught the attention of Hal Roach, who pointed her out to comedian Lloyd. He was looking for a leading lady to replace Bebe Daniels, and cast Davis in his comedy short From Hand to Mouth in 1919. It would be the first of fifteen films they would star in together.
On February 10, 1923, she married Lloyd. After their marriage, Lloyd announced that Davis would not appear in any more motion pictures. After much persuasion on Davis' part, and much grief, she received Lloyd's consent for her return to the screen in Too Many Crooks, which Lloyd produced through his production company.

Personal life and death

She and Lloyd had three children including Gloria Lloyd and Harold Lloyd Jr. Davis was very active in Beverly Hills and as hostess at the Lloyds' estate, Greenacres, where she particularly enjoyed rose gardening. Her brother was actor Jack Davis of Our Gang, later a prominent Beverly Hills physician.
The couple remained very close for their entire life together. She found comfort in her strong friendships with actresses Marion Davies and Colleen Moore. She also developed a long-lasting friendship with Lloyd's assistant, Roy Brooks, who lived with them at Greenacres for over 40 years.
Davis died from a coronary following a series of strokes in Santa Monica, California in 1969.

Filmography