Elsa Benham

Elsa Benham
Born	(1908-11-20)November 20, 1908 St. Louis, Missouri
Died	Irving, Texas
Occupation	Film actress

Elsa Benham (November 20, 1908 – April 20, 1995, Irving, Texas) was a dancer and silent movie performer from St. Louis, Missouri.

Benham was discovered by film director James Cruze as a member of the Kosloff Ballet when she performed in Hollywood in 1924. Cruz signed her to a small part in a movie he was making. Her career progressed quickly as she secured roles in Dick Turpin (1925) with Tom Mix and The Phantom of the Opera, which starred Mary Philbin and Lon Chaney.

In 1925 Benham won a popularity contest conducted by the West Hollywood Business Men's Association. It was entered by many film actresses. She was awarded a diamond ring for winning. Press reports compared her appearance to actress Barbara La Marr, though Benham was many years younger. Benham was about 5'5" in height, with hazel eyes, and black hair.

Benham had a brief tenure as a Hollywood actress. Most of her screen credits are in western films. Some of the titles are Fighting With Buffalo Bill (1925), Speeding Hoofs (1927), and Code of the Cow Country (1927).

References

• Los Angeles Times, New Name On List Of Film Beauties, March 8, 1925, Page 26.
• Los Angeles Times, How do you like these Newcomers?, March 25, 1925, Page C4.

External links

• Elsa Benham at the Internet Movie Database
• Elsa Benham at AllMovie