Clara Bow
- born
- July 29, 1905
- died
- September 27, 1965
- field
- Actress
- nationality
- American
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
She was her parents' third child; two older sisters died in infancy. Her mother suffered from epilepsy and psychosis, and Bow cared for her from a young age. Her mother died in 1923.
Reader's Guide
Clara Bow's significance lies in her embodiment of the 1920s flapper spirit and her status as the first major sex symbol of the screen. She appeared in 58 films, 33 of which survive entirely. After marrying actor Rex Bell in 1931, she retired in 1933 and became a rancher in Nevada. Her legacy endures as a symbol of silent-era stardom and the transition to sound.
Did You Know?
- Bow was born in a bleak room above a dilapidated Baptist Church in Brooklyn.
- Two older sisters died in infancy before Clara was born.
- Bow was raped by her father at age sixteen, according to biographer David Stenn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Clara Bow?
Clara Bow was an American actress born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1905 who became one of the biggest stars of the silent film era. She is best remembered as the face of the Roaring Twenties and the original "It Girl."
What is Clara Bow most famous for?
She achieved worldwide recognition for her role as a spirited shopgirl in the 1927 silent film It, which earned her the enduring nickname "The It Girl." She went on to become the top box-office draw in both 1928 and 1929.
How did Clara Bow transition into the talkie era?
After dominating silent cinema throughout the late 1920s, she successfully carried her star power into sound films beginning in 1929. Her ability to adapt made her one of the few silent-era stars to thrive after the industry's shift to talking pictures.
Why is Clara Bow considered a pioneering woman in film?
She personified the energy and independence of the 1920s, becoming the era's defining sex symbol and cultural icon. Her career spanned the entire silent-to-sound transition, proving that a female star could carry a studio's box office at the peak of Hollywood's early age.
When and how did Clara Bow die?
Clara Bow passed away on September 27, 1965, at the age of 60 from a heart attack. She had largely stepped away from acting in her later years after her peak stardom in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
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