Percy, Eileen (1899–1973)

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Percy, Eileen (1899–1973)

Irish-born silent-film star. Name variations: Eileen Persey. Born Aug 21, 1899, in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland); died July 29, 1973, in Beverly Hills, CA; sister of Thelma Percy (actress, 1903–1970); m. Ulric Busch; m. Harry Ruby (songwriter), 1936.

Raised in Brooklyn; modeled and appeared on stage; came to prominence as Douglas Fairbanks' leading lady in 4 films (1917); other films include Backstage, Maid of the West, The Tomboy, East Side West Side, Souls for Sables, Cobra, Burnt Fingers and The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood; retired from the screen (1927) and wrote a society column for the Los Angeles Examiner. Portrayed by Arlene Dahl in Three Little Words, a film bio of her husband (1950).

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