Eva Novak

Eva Barbara Novak (February 14, 1898 – April 17, 1988) was a prominent American actress who made her mark during the silent film era. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Joseph Jerome Novak, a Bohemian immigrant, and Barbara Medek, Eva was the youngest of five children. Tragically, her father passed away when she was a child, leaving her mother to raise the family alone. Eva's older sister, Johana, also pursued a career in acting.

Novak's film career kicked off in 1917 with her debut in L-KO's *Roped into Scandal*. The following year saw her star in an impressive 17 films, including a notable role opposite cowboy star Tom Mix in *The Daredevil* (1920). Over the years, she collaborated with Mix in ten films, showcasing her versatility and talent.

In 1921, she married stuntman William Reed, whom she met on a film set, and together they welcomed two daughters, Vivian Barbara and Pamela Eve. Passionate about stunt work, Novak learned to perform many of her own stunts under Mix’s guidance. Throughout her career, she appeared in a total of 123 films, including *The Medicine Man* (1930) with Betty Bronson and Jack Benny, and the early mystery film *Chasing the Moon* (1922).

In the late 1920s, Novak relocated to Australia, where she continued to act until the rise of sound films diminished her star power. She eventually retired in 1965, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to early cinema. Eva Novak passed away from pneumonia in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, at the age of 90.