Gorgeous Photos of Lilian Bond in the 1930s

Born 1908 in London, English-American actress Lilian Bond made her first professional stage appearance at the age of 14 in the pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat. Later she joined the chorus of Piccadilly Revels and continued on the stage when she relocated to the United States, where her performances included roles in The Earl Carroll Vanities and in various productions of the Ziegfeld Follies.

Bond began working in films in 1929, initially in the drama No More Children for Cliff Broughton Productions. Between 1929 and 1931, she co-starred in eight additional films, most notably with Tom Tyler in the 1931 Western Rider of the Plains. In 1932, she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star, along with Gloria Stuart, Ginger Rogers, and other young actresses rising in popularity with theater audiences.

From 1932 to 1953, Bond had roles in 39 more films, ranging from lead characters to uncredited performances. Perhaps her best-known film role is in the 1940 Western The Westerner starring Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan. In that production she portrays the British-American actress and socialite Lillie Langtry. By the 1950s, her career had declined, with her having mostly TV appearances. She retired from acting at the age of 50 in 1958.

Bond suffered a heart attack and died in 1991, at a convalescent hospital in Reseda, California, aged 83. Take a look at these gorgeous photos to see the beauty of young Lilian Bond in the 1930s.