Gem City Jewel: Dayton-born actress Dorothy Gish (March 11, 1898-June 4, 1968)

Dorothy Gish was born Dorothy Elizabeth de Guiche in Dayton, Ohio. After her father left her mother pursued a career as an actress, and eventually included Dorothy in her act.  Dorothy was a natural and made her debut on stage at the age of 4 as Little Willie in the play, East Lynne.

Her film career began when her friend Mary Pickford introduced her to director D. W. Griffith in 1912.  Thus began a lifetime of acting, with Dorothy appearing in over 100 movies from 1912 and 1963.  Dorothy’s stage performances included Young Love, Life With Father, and Miss Susie Slagle’s, which was televised on NBC in 1955. She died in 1968 from bronchial pneumonia.