Claire Windsor

Silent-era star 'Claire Windsor' (qv) was born Clara Viola Cronk in Cawker City, Kansas, the daughter of Ella and G.E. Cronk. She was educated at Broadway High School in Seattle, Washington, and Washburn Preperatory Academy in Topeka, Kansas. She studied voice and piano at Cohn's Conservatory of Music in Seattle. Claire began her film career as an extra on the Famous Players-Lasky lot, and was signed to stock by director 'Allan Dwan' (qv) to work at First National Pictures. She was then signed by writer/director 'Lois Weber' (qv) to the lead role in _What Do Men Want? (1921)_ (qv), at which time she changed her name to 'Claire Windsor' (qv) (on the advice of writer 'Frances Marion' (qv)). She toured with 'Al Jolson' (qv) in his stage show in 1933.::Les Adams