Cecil Cunningham
Edna Cecil Cunningham was an American film and stage actress, singer, and comedienne.
Early years
Cunningham was born in St. Louis, Missouri, one of at least six children of Sarah Hunter and Patrick Henry Cunningham. Her father was a onetime Major League outfielder for the original St. Louis Browns. In St. Louis, she attended the Humboldt School and Central Visual and [Performing Arts High School|Central High School].
Cunningham's early experience in music came as a member of the choir in the Fifth Baptist Church. In the fall of 1903, at the age of fifteen, Cunningham was also said to have "taken a deep interest in the prisoners at the city jail," performing for their benefit at religious services every Sunday. Moreover, reported the St. Louis Republic, these efforts had earned her an uncommon display of gratitude on the part of several inmates.
Cunningham yesterday afternoon received from Edward Phiester and Joseph Spray a mimic ship on which they and several other inmates have been working for two weeks. The ship is constructed of cloth, tinsel and whalebones, in imitation of a transatlantic liner. On the masts, suspended by golden threads, are Miss Cunningham's initials in gold. At the close of services yesterday, Spray and Phiester presented the ship to Miss Cunningham, at the same time telling her that the miniature was a token of their appreciation for her efforts to enliven their existence by her singing.
Career
Cunningham's first show business job was in the chorus line of Mlle. Modiste at the age of 18. She trained as a singer and appeared in opera. She worked as a vaudeville comedian at the Palace Theatre in New York City until the commencement of her movie career in 1929.
Cunningham's Broadway credits include Somewhere Else, Iolanthe, Oh, I Say!, Maids of Athens, Dancing Around, Greenwich Village Follies of 1919|Greenwich Village Follies], The Rose of China, and Dance With Your Gods. She also performed in Paris with the Boston Grand Opera Company, singing in Italian operas.
Cunningham was a Hollywood character actress with whitish hair cut like a man's, often in roles as a general "know-it-all". She made more than 80 appearances in movies from 1929 to 1946, many of them uncredited.
Personal life
Cunningham was married to writer Jean C. Havez from 1915 to 1918.
Death
On April 17, 1959, Cunningham died of heart disease at the Motion Picture Country Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. She was 70 years old. Her remains are interred in Chapel of the Pines Crematory.
Complete filmography
Their Own Desire – Aunt CarolineParamount on Parade – Society Woman Anybody's Woman – DotPlayboy of Paris – Mlle. HedwigeTrouble from Abroad – Emma WimpleMonkey Business – Madame Swempski Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise) – Madame Panoramia aka PansyThe Age for Love – PamelaSafe in Hell – AngieMata Hari – Gambler Selling Ring Never the Twins Shall Meet – Mrs. CarpImpatient Maiden – Mrs. RosyThe Wet Parade – Mrs. Twombey - Hotel Guest It's Tough to Be Famous – Autograph Seeker with Sheet Music Just a Pain in the Parlor – Mrs. SmithThe Rich Are Always with Us – Woman Talking to Tierney at Party Love Is a Racket – Aunt Hattie DonovanIs My Face Red? – Millionaire's Blonde Wife The Candid Camera – Mrs. Townes' AuntyLove Me Tonight – Laundress Those We Love – Mrs. Henry AbbottBlonde Venus – Norfolk Woman Manager If I Had a Million – Agnes - Emily's Friend Ladies They Talk About – Mrs. Arlington From Hell to Heaven – Mrs. ChadmanThe Druggist's Dilemma – Mrs. FinchBottoms Up – Party Guest Manhattan Love Song – Pancake Annie JonesThe Life of Vergie Winters – Pearl TurnerReturn of the Terror – Miss DoolittleWe Live Again – Theodosia People Will Talk – Nellie SimpsonMr. Deeds Goes to Town – Minor Role Come and [Get It (1936 film)|Come and Get It] – JosieSwing High, [Swing Low (film)|Swing High, Swing Low] – MurphyKing of Gamblers – Big EdnaArtists and Models – StellaThis Way Please – Miss EberhardtThe Awful Truth – Mrs. AlvinDaughter of Shanghai – Mrs. Mary HuntScandal Street – Maybelle MurphyFour Men and a Prayer – PiperCollege Swing – Dean SleetKentucky Moonshine – LandladyYou and Me – Mrs. MorrisWives Under Suspicion – "Sharpy"Blond Cheat – Genevieve TrentMarie Antoinette – Mme. "Feldy" de Lerchenfeld Girls' School – Miss BrewsterThe Family Next Door – Cora StewartIt's a Wonderful World – Madame J.L. ChambersWinter Carnival – Miss AinsleyLady of the Tropics – Countess BerichiLaugh It Off – Tess GibsonAbe Lincoln in Illinois – Minor Role Lillian Russell – Mrs. HobbsThe Captain Is a Lady – Mrs. Jane HomansNew Moon – Governor's WifeKitty Foyle – GrandmotherTall, Dark and Handsome – Frosty's Landlady Play Girl – Dowager Back Street – Mrs. MillerRepent at Leisure – Mrs. MorganHurry, Charlie, Hurry – Mrs. Diana BooneBlossoms in the Dust – Mrs. GilworthThe Feminine Touch – Party Guest Cowboy Serenade – Priscilla SmytheThe Wife Takes a Flyer – Countess OldenburgTwin Beds – Miss MacMahon, Secretary Are Husbands Necessary? – Miss JenkinsThe Affairs of Martha – Mrs. Llewellyn CastleI Married an Angel – Mrs. Fairmind Cairo – Mme. LarugaThe [Hidden Hand (1942 film)|The Hidden Hand] – Lorinda ChanningMy Heart Belongs to Daddy – Mrs. Whitman Above Suspicion – CountessIn Old Oklahoma – Mrs. AmesThe Horn Blows at Midnight – Judge Cavendish Wonder Man – Fortune Teller My Reputation – Mrs. Stella ThompsonThe Bride Goes Wild – Helen Oldfield Joyful Hour – Elizabeth