Actress. She began performing in vaudeville at age nine and was already a seasoned stage veteran when Charles Chaplin chose her for his leading lady in "The Circus" (1928). It was her first film, and remains her best. Talkies gave Kennedy the chance to display her song and dance skills and she starred or was featured in several musicals, including "The King of Jazz" (1930) and "Wonder Bar" (1934). She retired in 1934 to marry director Busby Berkeley; they divorced the following year, but she did not return to films. Kennedy died of a heart attack at 36, just hours after marrying her second husband in Las Vegas. She was born Maude Kahler in Kankakee, Illinois.
Actress. She began performing in vaudeville at age nine and was already a seasoned stage veteran when Charles Chaplin chose her for his leading lady in "The Circus" (1928). It was her first film, and remains her best. Talkies gave Kennedy the chance to display her song and dance skills and she starred or was featured in several musicals, including "The King of Jazz" (1930) and "Wonder Bar" (1934). She retired in 1934 to marry director Busby Berkeley; they divorced the following year, but she did not return to films. Kennedy died of a heart attack at 36, just hours after marrying her second husband in Las Vegas. She was born Maude Kahler in Kankakee, Illinois.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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