Gertrude Short
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- April 6, 1902 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Died
- July 31, 1968
- Active Years
- 1920–1946 (27 Years)
- Total Credits
- 95 credits in database
Biography
Gertrude Short was an American actress born on April 6, 1902, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Known also as Carmen Gertrude Short, she worked in vaudeville, on the legitimate stage, and in film during the silent and early sound eras. Her professional career spanned from 1912 or 1913 until 1945, during which time she appeared in 132 films. She was the daughter of actors Lewis and Stella Short, and her siblings included Florence Short and Antrim Short. She was married to director and writer Scott Pembroke. Gertrude Short died in Hollywood, California, on July 31, 1968, at the age of 66, following a heart attack. She is credited with 95 acting roles in various media databases.
Career overview
Gertrude Short was an American actress who worked in film, vaudeville, and on the stage. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 6, 1902, she was the daughter of actors Lewis and Stella Short. Her family connections in the industry also included her sister, actress Florence Short, and her sibling, Antrim Short. Short began her career in vaudeville, where she performed for five years before transitioning to the legitimate stage. She moved to Hollywood in 1922 to pursue a career in motion pictures.
Throughout her career, Short appeared in a significant number of productions. While some sources credit her with 95 known credits, others indicate she appeared in 132 films between 1912 and 1945, spanning both the silent and early sound eras of cinema. Between 1924 and 1925, she played in a series of telephone-themed films. Her professional work continued until 1945. In her personal life, she was married to director and writer Scott Pembroke. Short died in Hollywood, California, on July 31, 1968, at the age of 66, following a heart attack.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
95 titles- Gettin' Glamour (1946) as Gussie (uncredited)
- Guest Pests (1945)
- Smart Boy (1945) as Waitress
- Tom, Dick and Harry (1941) as Bridge Matron (uncredited)
- Spots Before Your Eyes (1940)
- You Can't Get Away with Murder (1939) as Peg (uncredited)
- Broadway Serenade (1939) as 2nd 5&10 Salesgirl (uncredited)
- Dog-Gone (1939) as Hilda, the Maid
- Tip-Off Girls (1938) as 'Boots' Milburn
- Park Avenue Logger (1937) as Margy MacLean
- Wild Money (1937) as Miss Green
- Penny Wisdom (1937) as Chloe Smudge (uncredited)
- 'G' Men (1935) as Collins' Moll (uncredited)
- Front Page Woman (1935) as Miss Dunn (uncredited)
- Woman Wanted (1935) as Gertie
- Helldorado (1935) as Mae
- The Thin Man (1934) as Marian (uncredited)
- The St. Louis Kid (1934) as Babe Smith - the Girl Buck Picks Up
- Love Birds (1934) as Burlesque Girl
- The Key (1934) as Evie, the barmaid
- Happiness Ahead (1934) as Party Reveller
- The Son of Kong (1933) as Persistent Reporter (uncredited)
- The Girl in 419 (1933) as Lucy - Housekeeper
- Scandal (1933) as Gertrude Short
- Secret Sinners (1933) as Sue's Chum - the Chorus Girl
- Blonde Venus (1932) as Sally, Receptionist at Talent Agency (uncredited)
- What Price Hollywood? (1932) as Waitress Letting Mary Serve Max (uncredited)
- Gigolettes (1932) as Gertie
- Niagara Falls (1932)
- Laughing Sinners (1931) as Edna
- Take 'em and Shake 'em (1931)
- Easy to Get (1931) as Gertrude
- Sin Takes a Holiday (1930) as Bobbie (uncredited)
- Little Accident (1930) as Miss Clark
- Once a Gentleman (1930) as Dolly
- Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929) as Topsy
- Bulldog Drummond (1929) as Barmaid
- The Broadway Hoofer (1929) as Annabelle
- The Girl Who Wouldn't Wait (1929) as Maizie
- Trial Marriage (1929) as Prudence
- None But the Brave (1928)
- Polly of the Movies (1927) as Polly Primrose
- Tillie the Toiler (1927) as Bubbles
- The Show (1927) as Lena Driskai
- The Masked Woman (1927) as Mimi
- Women's Wares (1927) as Maisie Duncan
- Ladies at Ease (1927) as Mabel
- Adam and Evil (1927)
- A Poor Girl's Romance (1926) as Anne Beaudeau
- Ladies of Leisure (1926) as Marian Forrest
- Sweet Adeline (1926) as Cabaret Dancer
- The Lily (1926) as Lucie Plock
- My Lady's Lips (1925) as Crook girl
- The People vs. Nancy Preston (1925) as Agnes
- Code of the West (1925) as Mollie Thurman
- The Other Woman's Story (1925) as Mildred Van
- Tessie (1925) as Mame McQuire
- Beggar on Horseback (1925) as Gladys Cady
- The Narrow Street (1925) as Nell Mangan
- Her Market Value (1925) as Kitty
- The Talker (1925) as Maud Fells
- Leap Year (1924) as Molly Morris
- Money to Burns (1924) as Sadie
- Sherlock's Home (1924) as Sadie
- Barbara Frietchie (1924) as Sue Rogers
- Faster Foster (1924)
- The Man Life Passed By (1923) as Paula
- The Prisoner (1923) as Lady Jane
- The Gold Diggers (1923) as Topsy St. John
- Crinoline and Romance (1923) as Sibil Vane
- Youth to Youth (1922) as Luella
- Boy Crazy (1922) as Evelina Skinner
- Headin' West (1922) as Potato Polly
- Rent Free (1922) as Justine Tate
- The Blot (1921) as Neighbor Olsen's Daughter (uncredited)
- You Never Can Tell (1920) as Vera
- Cinderella's Twin (1920) as Marcia Valentine
- She Couldn't Help It (1920) as Mag Monahan
- In Mizzoura (1919) as Lisbeth Vernon
- The Heart of Youth (1919) as Cora
- Blackie's Redemption (1919) as Baby Doll
- Riddle Gawne (1918) as Jane Gawne
- Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley (1918) as Gossip (uncredited)
- The Only Road (1918) as Bianca
- A Little Princess (1917) as Ermigarde
- Skinny Gets a Goat (1917) as The New Cashier
- A Bit o' Heaven (1917) as A Raggedy Ruggles
- The Hostage (1917) as Sophia (her sister)
- Luke's Movie Muddle (1916)
- The Purple Mask (1916) as Mary MacLean
- Thieves (1914) as Billy Barr
- The Fruit of Evil (1914)
- The Test (1914)
- A Cracksman Santa Claus (1913) as Dot's Sister
- The Driver Of The Deadwood Coach (1912) as Driver's Daughter
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gertrude Short best known for?
Gertrude Short is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Thin Man (1934), The St. Louis Kid (1934), The Son of Kong (1933), Bulldog Drummond (1929).
When and where was Gertrude Short born?
Gertrude Short was born on April 6, 1902 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. They passed away on July 31, 1968.
How many credits does Gertrude Short have?
Gertrude Short has accumulated over 95 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1920 to 1946.
What is Gertrude Short's background in cinema and television?
Gertrude Short was an American actress born on April 6, 1902, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Known also as Carmen Gertrude Short, she worked in vaudeville, on the legitimate stage, and in film during the silent and early sound eras. Her professional career spanned from 1912 or 1913 until 1945, during which time she appeared in 1...
Gertrude Short by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Thin Man (1934) as Marian (uncredited) — aged about 32
- Bulldog Drummond (1929) as Barmaid — aged about 27
- The St. Louis Kid (1934) as Babe Smith - the Girl Buck Picks Up — aged about 32
- The Son of Kong (1933) as Persistent Reporter (uncredited) — aged about 31
- A Little Princess (1917) as Ermigarde — aged about 15
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