Alice Brady
A radiant star of Broadway and Hollywood's Golden Age, known for her scene-stealing comedic timing and an Oscar-winning tragic turn in 'In Old Chicago.'
1892–1939 (age 47)·American actress·Birthday: November 2·The Lost Generation
Biography
Alice Brady brought a luminous, effervescent energy to every role, transitioning from a Broadway ingenue to one of the silver screen's most delightful character actors. She conquered the New York stage first, originating the role of Meg in 'Little Women' before becoming a sought-after leading lady in silent films. Brady possessed a rare gift: she survived the industry's jarring shift to sound, her distinctive voice perfect for the witty, often dizzying society matrons she played to perfection in screwball comedies like 'My Man Godfrey.' Yet beneath the fluttery charm was profound depth, showcased in her brief but devastating performance as Mrs. O'Leary in 'In Old Chicago,' which earned her a posthumous Academy Award. Her career was cut short by cancer at 46, but her legacy is a catalog of vibrant, unforgettable women who stole scenes with a glance or a perfectly delivered line.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Alice was born in 1892, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alice Was Born
The biggest hits of 1892
Alice's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1892Born
President: Benjamin Harrison
1897Started school
President: William McKinley
1905Became a teenager
Einstein publishes the theory of special relativity
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1908Could drive
Ford Model T goes into production
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1910Could vote
Halley's Comet makes its closest approach
President: William Howard Taft
1913Turned 21
The Federal Reserve is established
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Turned 30
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1932Turned 40
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1939Died at 47
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
Key Achievements
- Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Molly O'Leary in 'In Old Chicago' (1937).
- Originated the role of Meg March in the first Broadway production of 'Little Women' in 1912.
- Delivered a iconic comedic performance as the flighty mother, Angelica Bullock, in the classic screwball comedy 'My Man Godfrey' (1936).
- Successfully transitioned from a major star of silent film to a leading performer in the talkie era.
Did You Know?
Her Oscar for 'In Old Chicago' was accepted on her behalf by a mystery man who took the statue and disappeared; it was never recovered.
She was the daughter of influential theatrical producer William A. Brady.
Brady studied opera singing in Paris before beginning her acting career.
“My dear, in comedy, timing is not everything—it's the only thing.”
