Miriam Battista (July 14, 1912 – December 22, 1980) was an American actress known principally for her early career as a child star in silent films. After gaining notice in Broadway theatre at the age of four, she was cast in films the same year. Her most famous appearance was in the 1920 film Humoresque in which she played a little girl on crutches. As an adult, Battista acted in Italian-language films in the 1930s, and she appeared in Broadway productions. She wrote, sang, composed music, and co-hosted a television talk show with her second husband.
July 14, 1912, New York City, New York, United States
Died
December 22, 1980, New York City, New York, United States
Place Of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
Height
5' 3" (1.6 m)
Profession
Actress
Movies
Smilin' Through, The Steadfast Heart, The Good Provider
Star Sign
Cancer
#
Quote
1
I was the performer but it really was my mother's career.
2
I had no trouble crying. Tears came easily and if they didn't, my mother took me behind the scenes and spanked me until I cried.
#
Fact
1
A short story that Miriam wrote was published in the New Yorker: "No Sugar Thanks," April 20, 1940.
2
At the height of her fame as a child movie star, Miriam met two U.S. Presidents, Harding and Coolidge. She was photographed with Laddie Boy, President Harding's dog, on the White House lawn, and she was photographed sitting on President Coolidge's lap.
3
Miriam had two older brothers, William and Archie. William acted with her on stage in "Freedom" in 1918.
4
Her great-grandfather was an archbishop.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
From Nine to Nine
1936
Toinette - the Maid
Enlighten Thy Daughter
1934
Lillian Stevens
Sky Symphony
1933
Short
Miriam Battista
Santa Lucia Luntana
1931
Molly
Così è la vita
1931
The King of Kings
1927
uncredited
Life in Hollywood No. 6
1927
Short
The Shining Adventure
1925
Little Girl (uncredited)
Men, Women and Money
1924
The Steadfast Heart
1923
Lydia Canfield, as a child
The Custard Cup
1923
Lettie
The Curse of Drink
1922
Baby Betty
The Man Who Played God
1922
Little Girl
The Good Provider
1922
Pearl Binswanger, as a child
The Blonde Vampire
1922
Alice
Smilin' Through
1922
Little Mary - Moonyeen's Sister
Boomerang Bill
1922
Chinese Girl
At the Stage Door
1921
Mary Mathews as a Girl
The Sin That Was His
1920
uncredited
Humoresque
1920
Minnie Ginsberg
Eye for Eye
1918
Hassouna's Little Sister
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
This Is Your Life
1956
TV Series
Herself
Screen Snapshots, Series 4, No. 10
1924
Documentary short
Herself
Screen Snapshots, Series 1, No. 24
1921
Documentary short
Herself
Known for movies
Così è la vita (1931) as Actress
The Steadfast Heart (1923) as Lydia Canfield, as a child
The Good Provider (1922) as Pearl Binswanger, as a child
$1.3 Million