Anecdotes

A few months after she was born her father seemingly deserted the family for the Klondike gold strike. As it turned out, he made $25,000--a small fortune in today's terms--and returned to the family.

After she retired from the film industry she and her husband ran a business called Ashtrays Unlimited until her death.

Compson had a reputation for frugality and being a very mercenary negotiator with the studios.

Compson was sent a 1912 Rolls-Royce by a South American who had it stored in a New York garage. As she already had a limo, she was initially annoyed but later discovered she could rent it to the movie studios at $100 per day. She ultimately made $20,000 on it before selling it. This situation may have been the inspiration for a similar situation in Boulevard du Crépuscule (1950).

She claimed that director George Loane Tucker taught her almost everything she knew, "the best of literature, music, all the arts, everything".

Was great friends with Zasu Pitts before she became a star.

Formed Betty Compson Productions, a film production company, in 1921.

Began her career as a teenage violinist in vaudeville.

In 1918 Mack Sennett reportedly offered Compson $150 a week to leave Al Christie. Compson claims that when Sennett confirmed that the offer was legit, she replied, "In that case the bid's not high enough.".

Interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, USA, Section B, Lot 853, Grave 4.

Al Christie rechristened her "Betty".

Cousin of Thelma Worth.