Thelma Parr(1906-2000)
- Actress
Thelma Parr was born Betty Selby on October 19, 1906 in Oregon. She
claimed to be a descendant of Thomas Paine, one of the founding fathers
of the United States. When she was fourteen Thelma moved to California
with her parents. Soon after the pretty brunette was discovered by
producer Mack Sennett and became one of his bathing beauties. Thelma
married banjo player William E. Goman in 1925. That same year she made
her film debut in the comedy short Her Marriage Vow. Over the next
three years she appeared in more than thirty short films. She starred
opposite Ralph Graves in several movies including Hooked At The Alter
and The Funny Mooners. Thelma was gifted comedic actress and was
considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. One newspaper
said she was "the perfect type of American beauty". Her film career
came to a sudden end in 1928 after she was seriously injured in a car
accident. She suffered facial injuries and her mouth was permanently
scarred. Two years after the accident she attempted a comeback with a
small role in the comedy My Harem. In 1930 Thelma divorced her husband
and retired from acting. She spent the rest of her life out of the
spotlight. During her later years she lived in San Clemente,
California. Thelma died on February 13, 2000 at the age of
93.
