Clara Gordon Bow
1905(1897-07-24) – 1965

At the height of her fame, Clara Bow was one of the top grossing stars of the 1920's. She was also one of the most exploited, lowest paid and overworked.

Typifying the flapper girl image, Bow enjoyed a life style beyond her means. She tore around Hollywood in a bright red convertible with pet chows dyed to match her flaming red hair. She was thought of as the 'It' girl, described by F.S. Fitzgerald as, "the girl for whose services every studio was in violent competition. This girl was the real thing, someone to stir every pulse in the nation."

Her increasing erratic and scandalous personal life left her ostracized in Hollywood. She was not invited to her own premiers for fear that she might somehow embarrass studio executives. Though she lasted into the sound era, many felt her thick Brooklyn accent would not be accepted.

At age 26, Clara Bow retired from acting in 1933.