Bessie Love
ActingAbout Bessie Love
Bessie Love (born Juanita Horton, September 10, 1898 - April 26, 1986) became one of the most recognizable faces of early American cinema. After her family moved to Los Angeles, she was sent to Biograph Studios, where legendary director D.W. Griffith noticed her talent and cast her in several films, including Intolerance (1916). During the silent era, she gained popularity for her lively, wholesome screen presence and worked with major stars such as Douglas Fairbanks. Her career soared in the 1920s, and she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star in 1922, marking her as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actresses. Love made a successful transition to sound films—something many silent stars struggled with. Her performance as Hank Mahoney in The Broadway Melody (1929) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, cementing her place in film history. In the 1930s, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she continued acting in film, theatre, radio, and later television. Her career ultimately spanned from 1915 to 1983, making her one of the longest‑working performers of her generation. She died on April 26, 1986, in London at age 87.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Bessie Love reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Bessie Love's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 42% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Bessie Love remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Edward & Mrs. Simpson, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Bessie Love Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Bessie Love's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Bessie Love.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Hunger | Lillybelle | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Reds | Mrs. Partlow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Ragtime | Old Lady - T.O.C. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Lady Chatterley's Lover | Flora | Flop | Similar → |
| 1978 | Edward & Mrs. Simpson | Lady Cunard | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Gulliver's Travels | (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Ritz | Maurine | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Vampyres | American Lady | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Catlow | Mrs. Frost | Flop | Similar → |
| 1971 | Sunday Bloody Sunday | Answering Service Lady | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | On Her Majesty's Secret Service | Baccarat Player (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | Isadora | Mrs. Duncan | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | I'll Never Forget What's'isname | American tourist (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1964 | I Think They Call Him John | Narrator (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | Children of the Damned | Mrs. Robbin | Average | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone | Bunny | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | Too Young to Love | Mrs. Busch | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Nowhere to Go | Harriet P. Jefferson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Next to No Time | Becky Wiener | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Story of Esther Costello | Art Gallery Customer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Touch and Go | Mrs Baxter | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Barefoot Contessa | Mrs. Eubanks | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Weak and the Wicked | Prisoner | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Magic Box | Bride's Mother in Wedding Group | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | No Highway in the Sky | Plane Passenger (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Journey Together | Mrs. Mary McWilliams | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | London Scrapbook | Herself | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Atlantic Ferry | Begonia Baggot | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Round About Hollywood | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | Good News | Babe | Flop | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Hollywood Revue of 1929 | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Girl in the Show | Hattie Hartley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Idle Rich | Helen Thayer | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Broadway Melody | Harriet 'Hank' Mahoney | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Matinee Idol | Ginger Bolivar | Average | Similar → |
| 1927 | Dress Parade | Janet Cleghorne | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Rubber Tires | Mary Ellen Stack | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | Young April | Victoria | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | The King On Main Street | Mary Young | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Lost World | Paula White | Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Souls for Sale | Self - Celebrity Actress (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1922 | The Village Blacksmith | Rosemary Martin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Sea Lion | Blossom Nelson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1916 | A Sister of Six | Prudence | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1916 | Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages | The Bride of Cana (Judean Story) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1916 | The Mystery of the Leaping Fish | The Little Fish Blower | Average | Similar → |
| 1916 | Reggie Mixes In | Agnes | Average | Similar → |
| 1916 | The Good Bad-Man | Amy | Average | Similar → |
| 1916 | The Aryan | Mary Jane Garth | Average | Similar → |
Bessie Love - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Bessie Love?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bessie Love is "Edward & Mrs. Simpson" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Bessie Love acted in?
Bessie Love has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Bessie Love?
Other notable films include "Next to No Time", "Young April", and "A Sister of Six".