Anna Townsend

Mrs. Anna Townsend (January 5, 1845 – September 11, 1923) was a silent film actress who first turned to acting as a career very late in life. Featured in several Harold Lloyd films, Townsend is probably best known for her role as Harold's good-hearted grandmother in Grandma's Boy. That film was developed around Townsend's personality.

Early life and career Townsend was born in Utica, New York. She moved from there to Los Angeles in 1885. Her film career began in 1919. This was in large part corroborated the following year by the Sacramento Bee, whose obituary for Townsend states that the actress's emergence "three years ago" constituted the first time "she [had] ever considered pursuing acting as a profession." Mrs. Townsend died on September 11, 1923, at her home in Los Angeles, apparently due to an unspecified illness contracted two months earlier while sightseeing at Yosemite National Park. Moreover, judging from a profile of Townsend published that spring, in which references made to both "grown-up children" and "grandchildren" figure prominently, there were almost certainly additional survivors.

Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes 1913 The Hoyden's Awakening Unknown role (as Mrs. Anna Townsend) 1914 The Real Thing in Cowboys Mrs. Mitchell 1917 A Marked Man Harry's Mother (as Mrs. Townsend) Lost film 1918 Three Mounted Men Harry's Mother (as Mrs. Anna Townsend) Lost film 1921 Beyond the Trail Unknown role Uncredited 1922 Grandma's Boy His Grandma 1922 Dr. Jack Jamison's Mother Uncredited 1923 Daddy Mrs. Holden 1923 Safety Last! very small woman at the Sale Uncredited Television Year Title Role Notes 1989 American Masters Harold's Grandmother in 'Grandma's Boy' Archive footage, posthumously release, episode: "Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius"