Dorothy Dwan

Dorothy Dwan (born Dorothy Belle Ilgenfritz; April 26, 1906 – March 17, 1981) was an American film actress.

Born Dorothy Belle Ilgenfritz in Sedalia, Missouri, Dwan was the daughter of Charles Melvin Ilgenfritz and Nancy Dorothy Wallace. Shortly after her mother's divorce and remarriage in approximately 1915, Dorothy was legally adopted by her stepfather George Hughes Smith. Eventually, the family moved to Philadelphia, where Dorothy attended Miss Hill's School, specializing in English and music.

Universal signed Dwan to a contract after she had been an extra in films.

She was a WAMPAS Baby Star. She appeared in 40 films between 1922 and 1930, several of which were directed by her first husband, Larry Semon.

In 1928, Dwan moved from making films to acting on stage, signing with Henry Duffy to act in his Pacific Coast theaters.

After she left acting, Dwan worked as a columnist for Photoplay magazine.

Dwan married Semon on January 22, 1925. They were still wed when he died in 1928. She had one child, a son, Paul, from her second marriage to Paul Northcutt Boggs Jr. on May 23, 1930. They divorced in 1935. Dwan died in Ventura, California from lung cancer, aged 74.