Macpherson, Jeanie (1887–1946)
Macpherson, Jeanie (1887–1946)
American screenwriter, actress, and director. Name variations: Jean du Rocher or J. DuRocher Macpherson; Jeannie Macpherson. Born May 18, 1887, in Boston, MA; died Aug 26, 1946, in Los Angeles, CA; dau. of Evangeline Tomlinson and John Sinclair Macpherson.
One of the 1st women to become a screenwriter and director, began acting in films (1908), appealing directly to D.W. Griffith for her 1st role; became a lead actress for Universal Studio, where she also directed and wrote many two-reelers; began writing exclusively (1915), eventually becoming a screenwriter for Cecil B. De Mille; over the course of their 27-year relationship, worked with him on most of his silent films, including Joan the Woman (1916), Something to Think About, The Affairs of Anatol and Adam's Rib; was also an aviator and apparently the only woman to pilot a plane for the noted stunt flyer, Lieutenant Locklear.
See also Women in World History.