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Lucille Ricksen

Actor

Lucille Ricksen

Born August 22, 1910 in Chicago, Illinois, USADied March 13, 192535 films

Lucille Ricksen was born Ingeborg Erickson in Chicago, Illinois on August 22, 1910. She worked a child model and made her film debut at age 5. Her parents separated and her mother took her to Hollywood in 1920, and 10-year-old Lucille was offered a contract with Samuel Goldwyn and starred in a series of short films. She often had to work long hours but she always said she was having fun. In 1922 she starred opposite Marie Prevost in "The Married Flapper." The following year she was given a starring role in the drama "The Rendezvous"; although she was only 13, the studio lied that she was actually 16. The press called her "the youngest leading lady in movies". Lucille developed a close relationship with producer Sydney Chaplin (brother of Charlie Chaplin), who was 25 years her senior. She became one of Hollywood's busiest starlets and was chosen as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars.

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Unfortunately, the 14-year-old started to suffer from exhaustion and malnutrition. She was diagnosed with tuberculosis and became bedfast. Her mother kept a bedside vigil, but the stress brought on a fatal heart attack. Following her mother's death, Lucille was looked after by family friends including actress Lois Wilson. During one of her conscious moments Lucille said "Mother wouldn't want me--die--Mother said--Wonderful future--Going to do big things--Won't die! I won't!" But on March 13, 1925, she passed away from complications of tuberculosis, still at only 14 years old. There were rumors that her death had actually been caused by a botched abortion. Lucille was cremated and she was buried with her mother at Forest Lawn in Glendale, California. Her final film, "The Denial," came out 10 days after her death.

Filmography

35 films as actor
  1. 1925The DenialDorothy - the Daughter
  2. 1924Idle TonguesFaith Copeland
  3. 1924The Painted LadyAlice Smith
  4. 1924Vanity's PriceSylvia
  5. 1924Behind the CurtainSylvia Bailey
  6. 1924Young IdeasEloise Lowden
  7. 1924Those Who DanceRuth Kane
  8. 1924The Hill BillyEmmy Lou
  9. 1924The Galloping FishHyla Wetherill
  10. 1924Judgment of the StormMary Heath
  11. 1923The RendezvousVera
  12. 1923Human WreckageGinger
  13. 1923The Showdown
  14. 1923Trimmed in ScarletFaith Ebbing
  15. 1923The Social BuccaneerLucille Vail
  16. 1922The Strangers' BanquetFlapper
  17. 1922Forsaking All OthersMay Wharton
  18. 1922The Girl Who Ran WildClytie
  19. 1922RemembranceChild
  20. 1922The Married FlapperCarolyn Carter
  21. 1922The Secret Code
  22. 1922The Further Adventures of Yorke Norroy
  23. 1921The Child Thou Gavest Me
  24. 1921The Old NestKate at 9
  25. 1921Edgar, the DetectiveAlice Littlefield
  26. 1921Edgar's Feast Day
  27. 1921Edgar's Country CousinAlice Littlefield
  28. 1920Edgar's Little SawAlice Littlefield
  29. 1920Edgar Camps OutAlice Littlefield
  30. 1920Edgar Takes the CakeAlice Littlefield
  31. 1920Edgar's Jonah DayAlice Littlefield
  32. 1920Edgar's HamletAlice Littlefield
  33. 1920Edgar's Sunday CourtshipAlice Littlefield
  34. 1920Edgar and the Teacher's PetAlice Littlefield
  35. 1915The Millionaire BabyThe Baby