Matilda Fernández, stage name Fontaine La Rue (July 18, 1890 in Hermosillo, Mexico – September 13, 1964) was an American silent film actress appearing in films from 1918 to 1929. Her career ended with the advent of talkies.
She was one of seven children born to Diego and Carlotta Monreal Fernandez. After immigrating to the United States in 1907, Matilda married Victor Garcia Rojas. The couple had three children, Victor Paul, Matilda Garcia, and Victoria Grace.
After the couple divorced, Matilda entered show business. She got her start on stage as a toe dancer and in musical comedy. She toured with the Trimble Musical Comedy Company in 1914 before breaking into films the following year in comedy shorts for Keystone.
She first used the name Dora Rodgers, but reinvented herself with the name Fontaine La Rue, tiring of playing vamps. On occasions she would switch between the names. Notably she appeared in the lost film, A Blind Bargain with Lon Chaney.
After a lengthy love affair with actor Nelson McDowell, Fontaine married real estate broker Wayne Hancock and retired from the screen.
The Keystone Vamp died of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on September 13, 1964, at UCLA Medical Center.
1925
as Sybil
1925
1924
as Dancing Girl
1924
as Madame Le Quintrec
1923
1923
1922
as Mrs. Lamb
1922
as The Barmaid
1922
as Mary Lang
1922
1922
1921
as Princess Eiderstrom
1921
as Mrs. Langley
1921
as Elizabeth Erskine
1921
as Mary Beeler
1920
as Rachel Bangat
1920
1920
as Boka
1920
1919
as Countess Petite Florence
1919
as Mme. De Valdee
1918
as Rita Morris (as Fontine La Rue)
1918
as Elsa Armytage
1918
1917
as The Gent's Accomplice
1917
as Babe Delores
1915
as Secondary Supporting Role
1915
as Mary, The Banker's Daughter
1915
as Cabaret Dancer
1915
as Mts. Walrus
1915
as 1st Street Crowd Participant (uncredited)
1915
as The Maid They All Love