Actress. Her decade-long career covered the conclusion of the Silent Film era and the initiation of "Talkies." Born Barbara Cloutman (some sources have the spelling as Klowtman) in Canada, she moved with her family to Southern California during her early teens. After being crowned Miss Hollywood in 1925, Kent (who never acted on any level before) caught the attention of Universal Studios and was signed to a contract. After a few acting lessons, she marked her film debut in the Western "Prowlers of the Night" (1926) and followed it with what was a highly-memorable supporting performance as the young girl in love, however unrequited in "Flesh and the Devil" (1926) opposite John Gilbert and Greta Garbo. In recognition of her performance, she was elevated to leading-lady roles in such pictures as "No Man's Law" (1927, which featured Oliver Hardy in a villainous part), "That's My Daddy" (1928, opposite Reginald Denny), "The Shakedown" (1929, directed by William Wyler) and during this period, she made the transition to "talkies" with a pair of films opposite Harold Lloyd in "Welcome Danger" (1929) and "Feet First" (1930). Off-screen Kent was married to producer Harry E. Edington and by the time of his death in 1949, she had since retired from motion pictures. Kent would marry Jack Monroe, an engineer with Lockheed. At the time of her death at age 103, she was believed to be the last living film star to appear in silent pictures during adulthood.
Actress. Her decade-long career covered the conclusion of the Silent Film era and the initiation of "Talkies." Born Barbara Cloutman (some sources have the spelling as Klowtman) in Canada, she moved with her family to Southern California during her early teens. After being crowned Miss Hollywood in 1925, Kent (who never acted on any level before) caught the attention of Universal Studios and was signed to a contract. After a few acting lessons, she marked her film debut in the Western "Prowlers of the Night" (1926) and followed it with what was a highly-memorable supporting performance as the young girl in love, however unrequited in "Flesh and the Devil" (1926) opposite John Gilbert and Greta Garbo. In recognition of her performance, she was elevated to leading-lady roles in such pictures as "No Man's Law" (1927, which featured Oliver Hardy in a villainous part), "That's My Daddy" (1928, opposite Reginald Denny), "The Shakedown" (1929, directed by William Wyler) and during this period, she made the transition to "talkies" with a pair of films opposite Harold Lloyd in "Welcome Danger" (1929) and "Feet First" (1930). Off-screen Kent was married to producer Harry E. Edington and by the time of his death in 1949, she had since retired from motion pictures. Kent would marry Jack Monroe, an engineer with Lockheed. At the time of her death at age 103, she was believed to be the last living film star to appear in silent pictures during adulthood.
Bio by: C.S.
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