Eleanor Boardman (August 19, 1898 – December 12, 1991) was a prominent American actress celebrated for her contributions to the silent film era. Born in Philadelphia to George W. Boardman and Janice Merriam "Jennie" Stockman Boardman, she was the youngest of three daughters, following Merriam and Esther. Before embarking on her acting career, she worked as a contractor in 1920.
Boardman's education in Philadelphia laid the foundation for her early stage performances. However, after losing her voice during a production of The National Anthem, she pivoted to film, entering a national talent search that ultimately led her to Goldwyn Pictures, where she was crowned the "New Face of 1922." Though her first screen test was a setback, her persistence paid off with a subsequent successful audition that secured her a contract.
Throughout her career, Boardman starred in over 30 films, with notable roles including the lead in Souls for Sale (1923) and a memorable performance in King Vidor's The Crowd (1928), which is often hailed as one of the finest in American silent cinema. After enjoying success in sound films, she departed from MGM in 1932. Her final film, The Three Cornered Hat, was filmed in Spain in 1935, after which she withdrew from the Hollywood spotlight. In her later years, Boardman made rare appearances in documentaries, including Kevin Brownlow and David Gill's Hollywood (1980) and MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992).
