Merna Kennedy

Merna Kennedy (September 7, 1908 - December 20, 1944) was an American actress of the late silent era and the transitional period into talkies.

Short career

Kennedy (born as Maude Kahler) was best known during her brief career for her role opposite Charlie Chaplin in the silent film The Circus (1928).

Kennedy was brought to the attention of Chaplin by her friend Lita Grey, who became Chaplin's second wife in 1924. A dancer, she had muscular legs which helped her gain the role of the circus bareback rider. Kennedy continued acting after The Circus, starring in early sound films, but retired in 1934, when she married choreographer/director Busby Berkeley. Their marriage broke up a year later, and Kennedy died of a heart attack in 1944, aged 36.

Filmography

Silent Films

Talkies