The play, An American Tragedy, in Los Angeles, California, USA, with Helene Millard in the starring role, required her to shed tears. During the run of the play, her father, Royal C. Millard, passed away on March 13, 1927 in San Francisco, California, USA. Helene was granted a leave of absence by the producer and an understudy was to assume her role. An automobile accident prevented the understudy from ever taking over the role, and Helene agreed to put aside her grief and return to the stage. Later she reflected that she had no problem shedding tears in her role because all she had to do was think of her father and real tears flowed.
