Francelia Billington

Biography

Born in Dallas, Texas, Francelia Billington honed her equestrian prowess on a ranch, becoming an accomplished horsewoman. Her innate talent extended to the stage from a young age, propelling her to Hollywood where she rapidly ascended as a star of westerns and melodramas. Her cinematic journey commenced with the Kalem Film Co. in 1912, followed by transitions to Reliance-Majestic and Thanhouser the subsequent year. A frequent collaborator with the esteemed D.W. Griffith, she later joined Universal Pictures, gracing the screens under the direction of talents like Rupert Julian and Rex Ingram. Billington's versatility transcended the realm of 'horse operas,' notably delivering a compelling performance in Erich von Stroheim's epic *Blind Husbands* (1919). The 1920s saw her co-starring in numerous westerns alongside her husband, Lester Cuneo. Their marriage dissolved in 1925, leading to Cuneo's tragic suicide. Francelia Billington herself succumbed to tuberculosis at the premature age of 39.