User:JustAFact/Jessie Busley

 Jessie Busley 

An American actress/comedian who performed on stage, screen and radio for over six decades.

Born: March 10, 1869 in Albany, New York, USA

Died: April 20, 1950 (age 81) in New York City, New York, USA

Spouse:

Ernest Joy 1907 - 1908) (separated)

Jack Ferris (? - ?) (divorced)

Personal Life:

Several months after they were married Ernest Joy tried to shoot a theatrical press agent in a jealous rage after he saw him leaving a theater with Jessie. Word of the shot was reported in the news of the time and the press agent left town. Later that same year Jessie and Ernest separated after it was reported that she had him arrested for "annoying her" all charges were dropped when Jessie did not appear to testify against him.

Jessie made The New York Times when an article appeared August 1st 1908 Claiming she had "Set Two Men on her husband Ernest C. Joy who she intended to divorce.

The New York Times article titled:

"ACTRESS'S HUSBAND IS BADLY BEATEN"

and said "Ernest C. Joy Says His Wife, Jessie Busley, Set Two Men on Him. HE IS SENT TO A HOSPITAL One of His Unidentified Assailants Beat Him Over the Head with an Iron Bar." The article went on to say that they had frequent quarrels and end by saying that (at that time) "She last appeared in The Bishop's Carriage in which she made a hit"

Lastly leaving the parting shot that "She is well known as an actress but has had more success in the south and west then in this city"

 Career: 

Jessie starred on stage in over 25 Charles Frohman productions in the first 15 years of her career.

Later in June of 1930 she would appear on film for the first time in The Devil's Parade A Musical Revue set in Hades, a 10 minute film short by Warner Bros. Pictures along side Actress Joan Blondell

Jessie went on to appear in such films as Brother Rat and Brother Rat and a Baby with Priscilla Lane, Jane Bryan, Oscar nominated actor Eddie Albert, Oscar winning actress Jane Wyman, and actor and two term president of the United States Ronald Reagan

In 1939 She appeared alongside Kay Francis, Oscar nominated actor James Stephenson,and Oscar winner and legendary actor Humphrey Bogart in King of the Underworld The next year she would appear alongside Humphrey Bogart again in It All Came True with actress Ann Sheridan.

Films:

1930
 * The Devil's Parade (short)

1931
 * Personal Maid
 * Ma Ryan

1938
 * Brother Rat
 * Mrs. Brooks

1939
 * King of the Underworld
 * Aunt Josephine

1940
 * Brother Rat and a Baby
 * Mrs. 'Gram' Brooks

1940
 * It All Came True
 * Mrs. Nora Taylor

1940
 * Escape to Glory
 * Mrs. Mudge

Links: [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F40B10FD395A17738DDDA80894D0405B888CF1D3 ACTRESS'S HUSBAND IS BADLY BEATEN; Ernest C. Joy Says His Wife, Jessie Busley, Set Two Men on Him. HE IS SENT TO A HOSPITAL.]

"A History of the New York Stage from the First Performance in 1732 to 1901"