Celebrity Genealogy      Research - My Family Ancestry

My Family Connection to Lillian and Dorothy Gish – Hollywood’s Silent Film Legends

I recently discovered that I’m related to the legendary silent film actresses Lillian and Dorothy Gish through my paternal 10x great-grandfather, Henry Burt, who was their 9x great-grandfather on their maternal side.

When I uncovered this connection, I immediately thought of my maternal grandmother, born in 1912. She often spoke about the Gish sisters and grew up watching their films. Both Lillian and Dorothy Gish were beloved Hollywood icons who made the transition from silent movies to the early talkies, leaving an indelible mark on cinema history.

​

Lillian Gish – The First Lady of American Cinema

Lillian Gish was born on October 14, 1893, and was the elder of the two famous sisters. She began her acting career on stage before making her film debut in 1912 with An Unseen Enemy, directed by D.W. Griffith—a film that also featured her sister Dorothy.

Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Lillian became one of the most prominent stars of the silent era, acclaimed for her emotional performances in classics like The Birth of a Nation (1915) and Broken Blossoms (1919).

As talking pictures gained popularity, Lillian appeared in fewer films but continued her distinguished stage and television career well into the 1980s.

​

Her many honours include:

• Academy Award Nomination for Duel in the Sun (1946)

• Special Academy Award (1971) for “superlative artistry and distinguished contribution to the progress of motion pictures”

• Women in Film Crystal Award (1979)

• AFI Lifetime Achievement Award (1984) – the only silent film actress ever to receive this honor

Lillian Gish passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 27, 1993, at the age of 99. She never married and had no children, dedicating her life to the art of film and theater.

​

Dorothy Gish – The Comedic Star of the Silent Era

Dorothy Gish was born on March 11, 1898, the younger sister of Lillian. The Gish sisters were childhood friends with actress Mary Pickford, who introduced them to director D.W. Griffith in 1912. That same year, they both made their film debut in An Unseen Enemy.

While Lillian became known for her dramatic roles, Dorothy’s natural charm and humor made her a silent film comedy star between 1918 and 1920. She continued acting in films until 1930 and appeared in only a few more productions afterward.

Dorothy married Canadian-born actor James Rennie in 1920. The couple had no children and divorced in 1935.

Dorothy Gish passed away on June 4, 1968, at the age of 70 from bronchial pneumonia in Rapallo, Italy. Her sister Lillian was by her side at the time of her passing.

​

A Legacy of Talent and Family Pride

Even decades after their passing, Lillian and Dorothy Gish remain two of the most influential women in Hollywood history. Their pioneering work in early cinema helped shape the art of storytelling on screen.

Knowing that these iconic American actresses are part of my family lineage fills me with pride. Their talent, grace, and dedication continue to inspire film lovers—and now, for me, they represent a treasured family connection to Hollywood’s golden beginnings. My grandmother would have been thrilled!