Biography
Mary Philbin was an American actress of the silent film era. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she began her career after winning a beauty contest sponsored by Universal Pictures. She moved to California and was signed to a contract with the studio by Erich von Stroheim.
Philbin made her screen debut in 1921. She appeared in Foolish Wives (1922) as the Crippled Girl (uncredited). She is best known for playing Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera (1925) opposite Lon Chaney and Dea in The Man Who Laughs (1928). In 1922 she was named one of the first WAMPAS Baby Stars.
