Doris Dawson, Starlet

Doris Dawson (Levy) was born in Goldfield, NV on April 16, 1905, the child of Bonewitz Xerxes Dawson (now there’s a name you don’t hear every day) and Reba Greenwood.  The town would have been a hotbed of activity during those early years.  Although her father’s occupation is unknown, it probably had something to do with gold and life in the fast lane.   Sadly, her mother, Reba, died of tuberculosis three months after Doris was born.

Doris was a petite redhead (or some said dark haired) with a kewpie-doll smile. She was a charming starlet, one of many working away in low budget silent and early sound movies from 1927-1934.  And she also did photo modeling for the fashion industry.  Unfortunately, her acting career did not survive the advent of sound.  Apparently, her voice was the problem…some called it “grating”. … Ouch!   But Doris marched on with her life married a couple of times and raised winning show dogs.  She passed on April 20, 1986 in Florida at the age of 81.

Our thanks to John Dawson of Boulder, CO for this information.  By the way, he is a cousin. Doris was family.