Lois Neilson Laurel (September 7, 1895 – July 9, 1990) was an American silent movie actress who became actor and comedian Stan Laurel's first wife.

Lois Neilson
Neilson in 1919
Born(1895-09-07)September 7, 1895
DiedJuly 9, 1990(1990-07-09) (aged 94)
Los Angeles, California, US
OccupationActress
Years active1919-1920
Spouse
(m. 1926; div. 1934)
Children2

Early life and career edit

She was born in Tulare, California. Her family moved to Santa Cruz, California in 1909, where she entered high school in 1910. She acted in high school drama productions alongside ZaSu Pitts. Pitts invited Neilson to join her in Hollywood in 1918, where she began to appear in silent films.[1] She and Laurel both appeared in Do You Love Your Wife? in 1919.

Personal life edit

Neilson and Laurel began sharing her apartment in 1925, and married on August 13, 1926. Their daughter, also named Lois, was born on December 10, 1927. Their son, also named Stanley, was born two months premature in 1930, and lived for only nine days. Neilson and Laurel divorced in December 1934. Through her daughter, she was the mother-in-law of Western actor Rand Brooks, best known for his role of Lucky Jenkins in the Hopalong Cassidy "B" films.

Death edit

Neilson died in Los Angeles at the age of 94 from natural causes. Daughter Lois died in 2017 at age 89.[2]

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Notes
1919 Do You Love Your Wife? Short film
The Spotted Nag
Brown Eyes and Bank Notes
A Puppy Love Panic
A Roof Garden Rough House
Dainty Damsels and Bogus Counts
Brownie's Doggone Tricks The Vamp (as Louise Neilson)
Oh! You East Lynn! The Chorus girl (as Louise Neilson)
Weak Hearts and Wild Lions Queen of the Circus
1920 Loose Lions and Fast Lovers
My Dog, Pal
The Honor of the Range Betty Hall Short film, final film role

References edit

  1. ^ Gibson, Ross Eric (May 31, 2021). "Stan Laurel's connection to Santa Cruz". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  2. ^ Barnes, Mike (July 29, 2021). "Lois Laurel Hawes, Daughter of Stan Laurel, Dies at 89". Hollywood Reporter. Hollywood, California. Retrieved May 31, 2021.

External links edit