Her father worked as a railroad conductor. Prevost was born in Sarnia, Ontario, to Hughina Marion (née Bickford) and Arthur 'Teddy' Dunn. Her death prompted the Hollywood community to create the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital. Prevost's estate was valued at $300 since she had squandered most of her earnings. She made her last onscreen appearance in 1936.Īfter years of drinking, Prevost died of acute alcoholism at the age of 40 in January 1937. By 1935, Prevost was only able to secure bit parts in films.

She began to abuse alcohol and binge eat, resulting in a weight gain that made it difficult for her to secure acting jobs. She was also beset with personal problems, including the death of her mother in 1926 and the breakdown of her marriage to actor Kenneth Harlan in 1927, which fueled her depression. She was a favorite of director Ernst Lubitsch who cast her in three of his comedy films: The Marriage Circle (1924), Three Women (1924) and Kiss Me Again (1925).Īfter being let go by Warner Bros in early 1926, Prevost's career began to decline and she was relegated to secondary roles. where her career flourished as a leading lady. Prevost appeared in dozens of Sennett's short comedy films before moving on to feature-length films for Universal. She was discovered by Mack Sennett who signed her to contract and made her one of his 'Bathing Beauties' in the late 1910s. Prevost began her career during the silent film era. During her 20-year career, she made 121 silent and sound films. Marie Prevost (born Marie Bickford Dunn Novem – January 21, 1937) was a Canadian-born film actress.

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