Clara Bow

Date of Birth: July 29, 1905

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: September 27, 1965

Biography

Clara Gordon Bow was an American actress who rose to fame during the silent film era of the 1920s and continued her career into the early talkies. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Clara had a tumultuous childhood marked by poverty and family strife. She found solace in movies and began her career by winning a beauty contest that led to her first film role in “Beyond the Rainbow” (1922). Bow became a major box-office draw and the quintessential “flapper” of the Roaring Twenties, embodying the era’s liberated style and attitude. She achieved significant success with hits like “It” (1927), which cemented her status as the “It Girl,” and “Wings” (1927), the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Despite her professional success, Bow faced numerous personal challenges, including mental health issues and scandals that were widely publicized. After retiring from acting in 1933, Bow led a relatively private life. She married actor Rex Bell, with whom she had two sons, and they moved to a ranch in Nevada. She made occasional public appearances but remained largely out of the spotlight until her death in 1965.

5 Interesting Facts about Clara Bow

1. Clara Bow was the first actress to be dubbed the “It Girl,” a term that signifies exceptional charisma and appeal.

2. She starred in the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, “Wings” (1927).

3. Clara Bow had a Brooklyn accent, which she believed hindered her transition from silent films to talkies.

4. Despite her glamorous image, Bow struggled with severe mental health issues and spent time in a sanitarium.

5. She was one of the first celebrities to experience the intense scrutiny of the tabloid press, with her personal life often making headlines.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Clara Bow

1. “I don’t suppose there was ever a girl so terribly misunderstood.”

2. “They yell at me to be dignified. But what are they looking at? They’re looking at my legs!”

3. “The more I see of men, the more I like dogs.”

4. “I’m a curiosity in Hollywood. I’m a big freak, because I’m myself!”

5. “My life in Hollywood contained plenty of uproar. I’m sorry for a lot of it, but not awfully sorry.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Clara Bow’s net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, which is roughly equivalent to $8 million today when adjusted for inflation.