Thursday, April 5, 2012

Miss Phyllis Haver


And on to another Sennett Bathing Beauty, one with a not so happy ending.


Phyllis Haver was born Phyllis O'Haver on January 6, 1899 in Douglass, Kansas.

Her early life was quite like her fellow Bathing Beauty actress, Juanita Hansen. When she was younger, she too moved with her family to California where she attended school in Los Angeles. And then right after she graduated, she got into the picture business.

Before she was IN the films, Phyllis played piano for them at local movie houses. My grandmother had a lot of movie sheet music that we found later in our attic. I thought someone told me before that she played along with silents, but I can't remember. I know someone in the family did. I still have the sheet music of hers with Valentino on the cover. I will never get rid of that one.

Phyllis must have really caught the bug because she decided to try out for Mack Sennett, why not? He liked her, and she became one of the original Bathing Beauties. And she too must have been quite a favorite of Sennett's because she had a leading role in a few of his two reelers. (They were all cute, how could he favor just one? Can't blame the guy).


Her next venture was in the role of Roxie Hart in the first film version of Chicago in 1927. Her performance was praised by audiences and critics alike.

Her last two films were 1929's Thunder, which ended up being her and her costar, Lon Chaney's last silent film role. And her last was a talkie called She Couldn't Say No in 1930 with Sally Eilers and Louise Beavers.


Phyllis Haver passed away on November 19, 1960 in Connecticut at age 61. She died from an overdose of pills. Whether it was intentional or not, who knows, but the former seems more likely. She apparently had made suicide attempts in the past.

She was cremated and her ashes were scattered over New York City. How that works, I do not know...

Phyllis was only married once. In 1929, she married millionaire William Seeman. The ceremony was performed by the New York City mayor himself. The couple divorced in 1945. They never had children.



"If marrying a millionaire isn't an act of God, I don't know what is!" ~~ Phyllis Haver

10 comments:

  1. Hi Jessica,
    What can I say ,I'm on a roll. Here is an article with a little more info on Phyllis Haver 's death: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GLspAAAAIBAJ&sjid=j04EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7415,2317099&dq=phyllis+haver&hl=en

    Theresa G

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  2. And here is another one: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LwIqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gSYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=phyllis%20haver&pg=7182%2C100556

    Theresa G

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  3. Oh wow Theresa, thank you so much!

    I will check them out for sure, thanks again!! :)

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  4. Okay. Those are amazing!! God bless Google!

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  5. Phyllis Haver Seeman's ashes were not scattered, but were buried at Grassy Hill Cemetery in Falls Village, CT. It was near her home.

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  6. Hello mysterious Anonymous!
    That cemetery does seem more feesible than saying she was simply scattered over the city, so perhaps my sources were wrong. Would you mind if I asked how you know this?

    Thanks for reading!

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  7. This site posts a Herald Magazine Article that tells a lot about Mrs. Phyllis Haver Seeman's last years and mentions she wished to be cremated and be buried beside of her mother Molly Malone. http://tatteredandlostephemera.blogspot.com/2010/03/phyllis-haver-when-stars-burn-out.html

    Findagrave.com http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8748285 lists the cemetery

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the extra info, Sharon. I really appreciate it.
      I have noticed that in a lot of my older blog entries new information has become available so I really need to update them accordingly. This would be one of them! Thank you!

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  8. After the Bathing Beauty period she went on to work with Buster Keaton in The Balloonatic in 1924 where she showcased her undeniable vis comica.

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    Replies
    1. I have a signed large picture of Phyllis signed Mrs. Seeman. Is this picture valuable?

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