Majel Coleman

Biography

From WikipediaMajel Coleman (February 22, 1903 - July 27, 1980) was amovie actress and model from Mason, Ohio. Most of her 11 film credits aresilent movie features.Majel, who was a beauty contest winner in her hometown, wentto Hollywood in 1921 after high school. Coleman wanted to work for Cecil B.Demille in particular. When she could not find a way to get his attention, shelost interest in working for other movie studios. Then a chance happeningchanged Coleman's future.Demille noticed Coleman when a small stray dog followed herhome and became intimidated by her police dog. The little dog jumped off herporch and broke its leg on the cement below. It continued on across the streetwith Coleman pursuing. A car driven by the film producer almost ran over thered haired beauty. Together Demille and Coleman took the puppy to the hospital.Demille then signed Coleman to a movie contract in March1925. He made tests and arranged for her to act in small parts in his nextfilms.Coleman's hands became an ideal of perfection, beginningwith film screen tests which revealed their beauty, and she was often a handdouble in movies. She was listed among the 14 most beautiful women in the worldin 1926 along with Sally Rand, Etta Lee, Eugenia Gilbert, Jocelyn Lee, SallyLong, Clara Morris, Olive Borden, Christina Montt, Adalyn Mayer, ThaisValdemar, Yola D'Avril, and Dorothy Seastrom.Her early motion picture efforts include roles inBluebeard's Eighth Wife (1923) and several Harry Carey westerns, Soft Shoes (1925)and West of Broadway (1926). In Corporal Kate (1926) Coleman stars with VeraReynolds and Julia Faye. In 1927, Coleman played Procula, the wife of Pontius Pilate,in Demille's production of King of Kings. Her last films include roles in TheGirl In The Glass Cage (1929) and Romance of the Rio Grande (1929).Majel Coleman was married to Academy Award-winning featurefilm and television set decorator Victor Gangelin (1899-1967) and they lived inLos Angeles.Majel Coleman died at age 77 in 1980 in Paramount,California.