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Claire Anderson

Claire Anderson

Claire Mathis Anderson (May 8, 1891 – March 23, 1964), native of Detroit, was a silent film actress who worked with stars such as Constance Talmadge, Harry Carey, Thurston Hall, Tom Mix and Gloria Swanson. She was described as one of the original Sennett Bathing Beauties.

Before she became an actress, Anderson worked as a telephone operator at Hudson's department store in Detroit.

Anderson became the first documented double used in film in 1914 when she replaced Blanche Sweet in some scenes of The Escape while Sweet had scarlet fever. She also volunteered to replace a leading lady in a Sennett comedy who refused to enter a lion's cage. After Anderson entered the cage, she received a contract for $675 a week.

Anderson also appeared in the 1944 production of Mexican Hayride at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.

She was married to Harry H. Anderson, a "wealthy Hollywood automobile agent".