John Gilbert

Biography

John Gilbert was an American actor and filmmaker who rose to prominence in the silent film era. Born into a show-business family, he began his career as an extra with Thomas H. Ince's company in 1915 and quickly advanced to lead roles by 1917. Gilbert signed a three-year contract with Fox Films in 1921, gaining popularity as a leading man, particularly after his role in The Big Parade (1925). He later joined MGM, where he starred alongside Lillian Gish in La Bohème (1926) and Greta Garbo in several successful films, creating a celebrated on-screen partnership. However, his career declined with the advent of sound films, and he struggled to adapt. Following a tumultuous personal life, including a failed romance with Garbo, Gilbert's career diminished significantly. He appeared in his last film, Fast Workers, in 1933 and died of a heart attack in January 1936.