ABSTRACT
In Zukor, Mary Pickford, a film actress, found a kindred spirit: an ambitious, selfmade immigrant man willing to take her opinions seriously and treat her like a true collaborator and partner. Together they turned her into the most important actress in the US silent film industry. Most importantly, Zukor helped her to form her own production company and secure the resources to maintain and sustain her career. Pickford had her own newspaper byline, and she was also covered extensively in the press, particularly in the wake of the blockbuster success of Tess. Pickford's column was emblematic of the proliferation of celebrity culture in the early 1900s. Her column addressed the viewing public's deep curiosity about and interest in the film industry, its personnel, practices, and employment opportunities. It also served as an agent of legitimization and positive publicity for Pickford and the industry for which she was rapidly emerging as an important leader and spokesperson.
