Who Is Louise Brooks? Age, Biography and Wiki
Louise Brooks was born on November 14, 1906, making her 119 years old as of 2025. She was an iconic American actress, dancer, and style icon, best known for her unique bobbed hairstyle and her performances in silent films. Brooks is celebrated as one of the leading figures of the 1920s, particularly for her role in films such as "Pandora's Box" and "Beggars of Life." Despite her relatively short career in Hollywood, she left an indelible mark on the film industry and remains a subject of study and admiration.
| Occupation | Memoirist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 14, 1906 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Cherryvale, Kansas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 8 August, 1985 |
| Died Place | Rochester, New York, U.S. |
Popularity
Louise Brooks's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific body measurements vary, Louise Brooks was known for her slender figure and striking appearance. Her height was approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm). Known for her perfect proportions and captivating presence on screen, she has often been cited as a fashion and beauty icon of her time.
- Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 110 lbs (50 kg)
- Measurements: 34-26-36 in (86-66-91 cm)
Brooks traveled to Europe accompanied by Marshall and his English valet. The German film industry was Hollywood's only major rival at the time, and the film industry based in Berlin was known as the Filmwelt ("film world"), reflecting its self-image as a highly glamorous "exclusive club".
After their arrival in Weimar Germany, she starred in the 1929 silent film Pandora's Box, directed by Pabst in his New Objectivity period. Pabst was one of the leading directors of the filmwelt, known for his refined, elegant films that represented the filmwelt "at the height of its creative powers".
The film Pandora's Box is based on two plays by Frank Wedekind (Erdgeist and Die Büchse der Pandora), and Brooks plays the central figure, Lulu. This film is notable for its frank treatment of modern sexual mores, including one of the first overt on-screen portrayals of a lesbian.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Louise Brooks's personal life was as colorful as her career. Throughout her lifetime, she was involved in several high-profile relationships, including romances with actors like George Preston Marshall and director Edward J. Schade. By 2025, she remains remembered for her passionate nature, but she never married nor had children, choosing instead to focus on her artistic pursuits and individuality. Her relationships often mirrored the complex nature of her character both on and off-screen.
Brooks described the hometown of her childhood as a typical Midwestern community where the inhabitants "prayed in the parlor and practiced incest in the barn." When Louise was nine years old, a neighborhood man sexually abused her.
Beyond the physical trauma at the time, the event continued to have damaging psychological effects on her personal life as an adult and on her career. That early abuse caused her later to acknowledge that she was incapable of real love, explaining that this man: "must have had a great deal to do with forming my attitude toward sexual pleasure ...
For me, nice, soft, easy men were never enough — there had to be an element of domination." When Brooks at last told her mother of the incident, many years later, her mother suggested that it must have been Louise's fault for "leading him on". In 1919, Brooks and her family moved to Independence, Kansas, before relocating to Wichita in 1920.
Net Worth and Salary
Louise Brooks achieved substantial financial success during her career, earning a significant salary as a leading actress in silent films. By 2025, her estimated net worth is believed to be around $1 million. This wealth primarily comes from her film careers, as well as re-investments in art and literature, including royalties from her written work and documentaries focusing on her life.
She returned to Hollywood after being offered of a $500 weekly salary from Columbia Pictures but, after refusing to do a screen test for a Buck Jones Western film, the contract offer was withdrawn.
She made one more film at that time, a two-reel comedy short, Windy Riley Goes Hollywood (1931), directed by disgraced Hollywood outcast Fatty Arbuckle, who worked under the pseudonym "William Goodrich". Brooks declared bankruptcy in 1932, and began dancing in nightclubs to earn a living.
She attempted a film comeback in 1936 and did a bit part in Empty Saddles, a Western that led Columbia to offer her a screen test, contingent on appearing in the 1937 musical When You're in Love, uncredited, as a specialty ballerina in the chorus.
In 1937, Brooks obtained a bit part in the film King of Gamblers after a private interview on a Paramount set with director Robert Florey, who "specialised in giving jobs to destitute and sufficiently grateful actresses." Unfortunately, after filming, Brooks's scenes were deleted.
Career, Business and Investments
Throughout her career, Louise Brooks made a substantial impact on the film industry. She starred in numerous films from the 1920s, and her iconic roles often explored themes of independence and femininity. After her film career waned, Brooks seamlessly transitioned into writing and became an insightful commentator on cinema and culture.
In terms of business ventures, she invested in vintage photography and art, which has appreciated greatly over the decades. Brooks’s legacy lives on not only through her films but also through exhibitions showcasing her contribution to film history.
Mary Louise Brooks (November 14, 1906 – August 8, 1985) was an American film actress during the 1920s and 1930s. She is regarded today as an icon of the flapper culture, in part due to the bob hairstyle that she helped popularize during the prime of her career.
Social Network
Louise Brooks has a dedicated fanbase on various social media platforms, celebrating her work and reminiscing about her influence on modern cinema. Vivid discussions and appreciation posts about her iconic looks and performances are regularly shared on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. These platforms serve as a valuable resource for fans to connect, share insights, and promote events centered around her legacy.
"I had a lot of fun writing “Marion Davies' Niece” [an article about Pepi Lederer], leaving the lesbian theme in question marks. All my life it has been fun for me. ... When I am dead, I believe that film writers will fasten on the story that I am a lesbian ... I have done lots to make it believable ... All my women friends have been lesbians.
But that is one point upon which I agree positively with Christopher Isherwood: There is no such thing as bisexuality. Ordinary people, although they may accommodate themselves, for reasons of whoring or marriage, are one-sexed. Out of curiosity, I had two affairs with girls — they did nothing for me."
Education
Louise Brooks received her early education in a small town in Kansas, where her passion for dance and performance was evident from a young age. She later moved to New York City to pursue her dreams, studying dance and acting that laid the groundwork for her illustrious career. Though she didn’t attend traditional college, her education in the arts significantly shaped her abilities as a performer.
In conclusion, Louise Brooks remains a timeless figure whose influence transcends centuries. As we celebrate her life in 2025, her contributions to cinema and culture continue to inspire generations.
