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Fontaine La Rue

Dec 01, 1897 - Sep 13, 1964 (66 years old) in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

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.

Known For

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The Sins of Rosanne
Rachel Bangat
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The Further Adventures of Yorke Norroy
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A Blind Bargain
Mrs. Lamb
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Mabel Lost and Won
Mabel's Rival
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Fatty and Mabel at the San Diego Exposition
1st Street Crowd Participant (uncredited)
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The Torrent
Dancing Girl
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The Isle of Love
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Peanuts and Bullets
The Maid They All Love
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Oh, Mabel Behave
The Barmaid
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Beyond
Mrs. Langley

Credits

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