Louise Brooks

NAME Louise Brooks

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Louise Brooks is famous for being an iconic American actress and dancer, best known for her roles in silent films such as Pandora's Box (1929) and Diary of a Lost Girl (1929). She is also celebrated for her distinctive bob haircut, which became a symbol of the flapper era.

BIRTH Mary Louise Brooks was born on November 14, 1906, in Cherryvale, Kansas, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Louise was the daughter of Leonard Porter Brooks, a lawyer, and Myra Rude Brooks, a talented pianist and intellectual. Her family moved to Wichita, Kansas, when she was a child. Louise's relationship with her volatile mother was strained throughout her life.

CHILDHOOD Louise had a turbulent childhood marked by independence and rebellion. She was interested in dance from a young age and pursued it passionately despite her father's disapproval.

EDUCATION Louise received formal dance training at the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts in Los Angeles. She was eventually dismissed due to her unconventional spirit. Her education in traditional academics was less rigorous, as she was more focused on her dance and acting career.

CAREER RECORD Here's her resume: 

Dancer with the Denishawn company (1922-1924)

Chorus girl in various New York productions (1924-1925)

Hollywood actress with Paramount Pictures (1925-1928)

Starred in German films by G.W. Pabst, including Pandora's Box and Diary of a Lost Girl (1929)

Returned to Hollywood with limited success (1928-1938)

Retired from acting and pursued writing (1938)

APPEARANCE Louise Brooks was known for her striking beauty, particularly her jet-black bob haircut, which became a cultural phenomenon. She had a petite frame, dark expressive eyes, and an aura of aloofness.

Brooks c. 1926

FASHION Brooks epitomized the flapper style with her short dresses, cloche hats, and bob haircut. Even after the flapper era ended, she remained a fashion icon.

Her signature hairstyle, that Buster Brown bob that looked like it had been architected by a ruler, was pure Louise. She'd sported it since childhood, a defiance of convention that would become her trademark. 

CHARACTER Louise Brooks was known for her intelligence, independence, and rebellious spirit. She was often described as outspoken and unapologetically herself, refusing to conform to Hollywood's expectations.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Louise had a sharp wit and a dry sense of humour. She often used her humour to critique the film industry and societal norms.

RELATIONSHIPS Louise had several high-profile relationships throughout her life, including affairs with prominent figures in the film industry. She was married twice: first to Eddie Sutherland, a director, and later to Deering Davis, a millionaire socialite. Both marriages ended in divorce.

She never had children, referring to herself as "Barren Brooks".

She did admit to some lesbian flings, including a one-night stand with Greta Garbo but Brooks herself maintained she wasn't a lesbian or bisexual. Let's just say Louise Brooks marched to the beat of her own bob-haired drummer.

MONEY AND FAME While Louise achieved significant fame during her acting career, she struggled financially later in life. She had difficulty maintaining steady work and was often at odds with Hollywood executives.

FOOD AND DRINK Brooks was known to enjoy the social aspects of dining and nightlife during her Hollywood years.

MUSIC AND ARTS Louise Brooks had a deep appreciation for the arts, particularly dance and classical music. Her early training in dance influenced her graceful movements on screen.

Louise's signature role was Lulu in Pandora's Box, The film dared to tackle modern sexuality, even featuring one of the first lesbian portrayals on the silver screen. 

Unlike most silent film stars who hammed it up like they were auditioning for a mime convention, Louise went for a more natural approach. No scenery-chewing theatrics here. She brought a quiet intensity to her roles, a subtle nuance that left some audiences scratching their heads and others begging for more. It was a style that would pave the way for a new era of acting, but for Louise, it sometimes landed her in hot water with directors who thought emoting meant throwing your furniture around.

Europe, particularly Germany, embraced Louise's brand of cool. Her films were seen as daring works of art, and she became a sensation. Hollywood, on the other hand, was a different story. Back in the States, the studios found her a bit too much to handle. Creative control clashes became her specialty.

By 1938, she'd had enough of the Hollywood hustle and decided to call it a cinematic career. 

LITERATURE Louise was an avid reader and later became a writer herself. Her first project, an autobiographical novel with the scandalous title Naked on My Goat, met a fiery demise when she tossed the manuscript into an incinerator in a fit of pique. 

Following the rediscovery of her films by cinephiles in the 1950s, brooks insightful essays started receiving acclaim. She published her memoir, Lulu in Hollywood, in 1982.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Dance was her primary passion, and Louise Brooks also enjoyed reading, and writing. She also had an interest in intellectual pursuits, often engaging in philosophical discussions.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Louise Brooks was known for her existential reflections and philosophical musings, particularly about the nature of fame, beauty, and the human condition.

SCANDAL Louise's life was marked by several scandals, including her outspoken critiques of Hollywood and her affairs with high-profile figures. Her refusal to conform to industry norms often put her at odds with studio executives.

Her portrayal of sexually liberated characters in European films caused controversy and contributed to her struggles in Hollywood.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Louise maintained her health and physical fitness through her rigorous dance training. However, she struggled with alcoholism later in life, which affected her overall health.

HOMES Throughout her life, Louise lived in various locations, including Wichita, Los Angeles, New York City, and Paris. In her later years, she lived in Rochester, New York.

TRAVEL Louise traveled extensively, particularly between the United States and Europe. She spent significant time in Berlin, where she made some of her most famous films.

DEATH Louise Brooks was found dead of a heart attack on August 8, 1985 aged 78, after suffering from arthritis and emphysema for many years. She was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester, New York.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Several biographies have been written about Louise Brooks, including the acclaimed Louise Brooks: A Biography by Barry Paris.

Documentaries explore her life and career, such as Louise Brooks: Fallen Star (1985).

British new wave group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released a 1991 single titled "Pandora's Box" as a tribute to Brooks.

ACHIEVEMENTS Louise Brooks is celebrated for her groundbreaking performances in silent film, her distinctive style, and her contributions to cinema history. Her autobiography and essays have also been critically acclaimed, solidifying her legacy as both an actress and a writer.