Lois Neilson

Lois Neilson Laurel (September 7, 1895 – July 9, 1990) was an American silent movie actress who became actor and comedian Stan Laurel's first wife.

Early life and career She was born in Tulare, California. Her family moved to Santa Cruz, California in 1909, where she entered high school in 1910. She acted in high school drama productions alongside ZaSu Pitts. Pitts invited Neilson to join her in Hollywood in 1918, where she began to appear in silent films. She and Laurel both appeared in Do You Love Your Wife? in 1919.

Personal life Neilson and Laurel began sharing her apartment in 1925, and married on August 13, 1926. Their daughter, also named Lois, was born on December 10, 1927. Their son, also named Stanley, was born two months premature in 1930, and lived for only nine days. Neilson and Laurel divorced in December 1934. Through her daughter, she was the mother-in-law of actor Rand Brooks, best remembered for his role of Charles Hamilton in the movie Gone with the Wind (1939).

Death Neilson died in Los Angeles at the age of 94 from natural causes. Daughter Lois died in 2017 at age 89.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1919 Do You Love Your Wife? Short film The Spotted Nag Brown Eyes and Bank Notes A Puppy Love Panic A Roof Garden Rough House Dainty Damsels and Bogus Counts Brownie's Doggone Tricks The Vamp (as Louise Neilson) Oh! You East Lynn! The Chorus girl (as Louise Neilson) Weak Hearts and Wild Lions Queen of the Circus1920 Loose Lions and Fast Lovers My Dog, Pal The Honor of the Range Betty Hall Short film, final film role