It - J::2r~5>1~t;/t1qri( C07-o: Marie Dressler was born in 1868 in Cobourg. Her real name was Leila Marie Koeber and she was the daughter of Alexander Koe- " , • ~ f •

berJ and4;, Anna Henderson •. Alexander Kieber was born in Austria and then moved. to Prussia. He was an officer in the cavalry,. but dur- ing the Cri~ean War went apparently without leave to join the Bri- tish army. Technically adesserter, he was unable to return home· and came to England and eventually to eanada. He married Anna Henderson of Port Hope. Alexander Koeber was an organist in St. Peters Church. He did not remain here long and Marie Dressler spent most of her early life travelling throughout Canada and the United States. While living in Michigan, she and her sister were offered positioss in a travelling stage group. During the next ten years, Marie Dressler worked hard as an actress. Soon she began to get good supporting parts in comedy, musical comedy and comic opera. Her first really good part, with Lillian Russell, came in "The Princess Nicotine." Real success came with "The Lady Slavey." After that followed "Tillie's Nightmare" in 1911 and then "Tillie's Punctured Romance" her first silent movie. Charlie Chaplin was also in this picture. When World War I broke, Marie Dressler put all her efforts towards the war, selling liberty bonds, and entertaining among other ventures. After the war she had a difficult time finding work. In 1927 she landed her first big role which was a strong character part in "Anna Christie" with Greta Garbo. In 1931 she won the academy award for the best actress of the year for her portrayal of Min in "Min and Bill." The picture also starred Wallace Beery. In the next three years she starred in many films including "Dinne:r;at Eight," and "Tugboat Annie." Marie Dressler died in July 1934.