Fontaine La Rue
Acting
Biography
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.
Born: December 1, 1897
Place of Birth: Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Known For
Filmography
as Wetona
as Madame Le Quintrec
as Mrs. Mantell
as Mrs. Lamb
as The Barmaid
as Mary Lang
as Helene Westley
as Princess Eiderstrom
as Mrs. Langley
as Elizabeth Erskine
as Mary Beeler
as Rachel Bangat
as Boka
as Countess Petite Florence
as Mme. De Valdee
as Rita Morris (as Fontine La Rue)
as The Gent's Accomplice
as Secondary Supporting Role
as Mabel's Rival
as Mary, The Banker's Daughter
as Mts. Walrus
as 1st Street Crowd Participant (uncredited)
as The Maid They All Love