This Is Your Life: Bessie Love

Bessie LOVE (1898-1986)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Bessie Love, actress, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the stage door of London's Prince of Wales Theatre, having been led to believe she was due to give an interview following the first night of the play, Never Too Late.

Bessie, who was born in Texas, USA, began her acting career in Hollywood's silent era, making her debut in D. W. Griffith's Intolerance in 1915. She made over 100 films in 15 years, and having successfully transitioned to talkies, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for The Broadway Melody in 1929.

Having moved to England in 1935, Bessie struggled to find work as an actress during the Second World War and worked as a script supervisor in addition to volunteering for the American Red Cross. After the war, she worked in theatre and in minor roles in films, including The Barefoot Contessa, Touch and Nowhere to Go.

"Oh no, really? Oh I say, truly? Are you sure?"

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