Silent Movie Stars - Page 6 of 9

John Gilbert

After a few years doing bit parts in movies, Gilbert rose to fame as a popular leading man in silent romantic films. Female audiences swooned over his suave good looks and magnetic charm, earning him the nickname “The Great Lover”. Nowadays, however, Gilbert is better remembered as one of the most famous silent movie stars who didn’t make it in talkies. His rumored “squeaky” voice made him a poor choice for sound films. Gilbert’s later films, however, disproved this myth, as they showcased his rich baritone voice. Today, critics mostly attribute his decline to studio politics.