Marie Dressler 1868-1934
Born in this house as Leila Maria Koerber, Marie Dressler became the stage name of this actress who became successful in silent and talking films — including alongside Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo. Dressler won an Academy Award in 1931.
Location:
At the cottage believed to be her birthplace, Dressler House, 212 King Street West, Cobourg
Themes:
Arts and culture, People, Women's History
Plaque text:
Leila Maria Koerber, a talented actress and singer known internationally as Marie Dressler, was born in Cobourg. About 1883, she joined a touring stock company, later gaining recognition on Broadway in a series of successful comedy productions, including "Tillie's Nightmare". Although she made her first film in 1914, entitled "Tillie's Punctured Romance" with Charlie Chaplin, her real success in motion pictures began in 1930 when she played in "Anna Christie" with Greta Garbo. During the following years, she made over twenty films and created her best-known character roles such as "Min" and "Tugboat Annie". In 1931, she received the best actress award given annually by the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. Marie Dressler died three years later at Santa Barbara, California.
