Athole Shearer

Athole Shearer Biography

Athole Shearer (November 20, 1900 – March 17, 1985) was an actress most noted as the sister of motion picture star Norma Shearer and film sound engineer Douglas Shearer.

Biography

Shearer was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. As a teenager, her divorced mother moved the two girls to New York City and then to Hollywood and in 1920 she obtained her first minor film role. In 1923, Athole Shearer married John Ward with whom she would have a son. Divorced, in 1928 she married again, this time to noted film director Howard Hawks (1896"1977). They divorced twelve years later in 1940 at a turbulent time for Hawks who had been fired by studio owner Howard Hughes as the director of the film The Outlaw.

Personal life

Athole Shearer suffered from bipolar disorder that went unrecognized for years resulting in her suffering numerous problems. Her film career was limited to a few bit parts because of her personal difficulties. She spent many years in mental institutions until her illness was properly diagnosed.

Death

Athole Shearer died in 1985 in Los Angeles, California, and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Filmography

The Restless Sex (1920)
Way Down East (1920)
The Flapper (1920)