Eugenia Gilbert

Eugenia Gilbert (November 18, 1902 – December 9, 1978) was an American film actress of the silent era. She appeared as a leading lady in a number of westerns. In at least three films, she was billed as Eugenie Gilbert. Gilbert was the daughter of William B. Knapp and Nellie Eugenia (Gilbert) Knapp. Her birth name was Genevieve May Knapp. She attended schools in South Orange, New Jersey, and New York City and the Marlborough School in Los Angeles. She won 14 beauty contests, one of which was a national contest sponsored by Rudolph Valentino, which led him to consider her "the most beautiful girl in America."In 1924, Gilbert had her first role as leading lady in a film, after having smaller parts in westerns and comedies. In 1925, she signed a contract with Mack Sennett to act exclusively in his comedy films "for the next several years."