Diana Serra Cary

About

American child film actress, vaudevillian, author, and silent film historian also known by the moniker, "Baby Peggy". She was recognized as the last living person with a substantial career in silent films. Between 1921-1924 she made over 150 short films. She was dubbed "The Million Dollar Baby" for her whopping salary, sadly mismanaged by her parents. When acting fizzled out, she forged a second career as an author and silent film historian. In her later years, she was a vocal advocate for child actors' rights. 

Before Fame

Her given name was Peggy-Jean Montgomery. She was first "discovered" at only 19 months during a visit to Century Studios with her mother and a film extra. She was hired to appear in a number of short films alongside Brownie the Wonder Dog. She signed a contract with Century and continued to make movies, many of them spoof full-length motion pictures, social issues, and current celebrities. 

Trivia

She began to work for Universal Studios in 1923. By the age of 5, she had her own line of endorsed products, including a "Baby Peggy" doll, jewelry, and milk. Her parents set no money aside for her or her sister's education and her entire fortune was spent by the time she reached puberty. Her film career ended abruptly in 1925 when her father had a falling out with producer Sol Lesser over Peggy's salary. 

Family Life

She was the second daughter of Marian and Jack Montgomery. Jack was a former cowboy and park ranger who had done work as a stuntman and stand-in for actor Tom Mix. Her older sister was named Jack-Louise but generally went by Louise or occasionally Jackie. 

Associated With

In 1924 she was named the Official Mascot of the 1924 Democratic Convention in New York City. She stood beside President Franklin D. Roosevelt on stage, waving a United States flag.