Theda Bara
Silent film actress known as cinema's first 'vamp.'
via Wikipedia: Femme fatale · see source
Theda Bara was a silent film actress who became one of cinema's early sex symbols. Her femme fatale roles earned her the nickname 'the Vamp,' which helped popularize 'vamp' roles based in exoticism and sexual domination. The 1915 film *A Fool There Was*, starring Theda Bara as 'The Vamp,' followed a 1909 Broadway production of the same name. 1910s American slang for femme fatale was 'vamp,' for vampire.
- born
- July 29, 1885, Cincinnati, Ohio
- died
- April 7, 1955, Los Angeles, California
- field
- Actress (silent film and stage)
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Nickname 'the Vamp'; femme fatale roles; biggest star of Fox Studios between 1915 and 1919
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Theda Bara starred in the 1915 film *A Fool There Was* as 'The Vamp.' The film was inspired by Rudyard Kipling's 1897 poem 'The Vampire,' which began: 'A fool there was...' and was adapted into a 1909 Broadway production. The poem itself was inspired by Philip Burne-Jones's 1897 painting *The Vampire*, which depicted Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Burne-Jones's lover. Theda Bara was publicised as 'the original vampire' following the 1913 film *The Vampire* by Robert Vignola, which contained a 'vamp' dance and starred Alice Hollister.
Reader's Guide
Theda Bara's significance lies in her role as the archetypal 'vamp' in early 20th-century American films. The term 'vamp' (a clipping of 'vampire') dates from at least 1911. The 1915 film *A Fool There Was* starring Theda Bara as 'The Vamp' followed the 1909 play of the same name by Porter Emerson Browne, which was inspired by Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The Vampire.' The short poem may have been used in the publicity for the 1915 film. 1910s American slang for femme fatale was 'vamp,' for vampire. Notable silent-cinema vamps include Theda Bara and Anna May Wong.
Did You Know?
- Theda Bara starred in the 1915 film *A Fool There Was* as 'The Vamp,' which was based on Rudyard Kipling's 1897 poem 'The Vampire.'
- The term 'vamp' (a clipping of 'vampire') as slang for femme fatale dates from at least 1911.
- Theda Bara was publicised as 'the original vampire' following the 1913 film *The Vampire* by Robert Vignola.
- 1910s American slang for femme fatale was 'vamp,' for vampire.
- Notable silent-cinema vamps include Theda Bara and Anna May Wong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Theda Bara?
Theda Bara was an American actress who worked in silent cinema and on the stage, becoming one of the most recognizable names of the 1910s. She is frequently described as Hollywood's earliest sex symbol.
Why is Theda Bara nicknamed 'the Vamp'?
The label came from her signature roles as seductive, dangerous women who wielded sexual power over those around them. Her performances helped establish the 'vamp' as a staple archetype in early American film.
What was Theda Bara's birth name and where did she come from?
She was born Theodosia Burr Goodman on July 29, 1885, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She adopted the stage name Theda Bara as she launched her acting career.
What was Theda Bara's connection to Fox Studios?
From 1915 through 1919 she served as the studio's marquee star, headlining their feature films and drawing audiences with her exotic, femme fatale characters. She essentially anchored Fox's output during that period.
How did Theda Bara's life and career end?
She kept working in theater and film well into the talkie era, though her box-office pull never fully returned to its silent-era peak. She died in Los Angeles, California, on April 7, 1955.
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