Kate Lester

Kate Lester, born Sarah Cody on 12 June 1857, was an American actress who worked in both theater and silent film. Her family, the Suydams of New York, were residing in Britain at the time of her birth. She was raised in New York City and received her education at exclusive schools before turning to the study of dramatic art, training under the noted instructor Dion Boucicault.

Lester made her debut on the New York stage as a grand dame, stepping into the role of Lady Silverdale in Partners after the actress originally cast in the part fell ill the night before the production opened. She went on to build a stage career spanning from 1896 to 1911, appearing in Broadway productions that included Mrs. Bumpstead-Leigh, Brown of Harvard, Cashel Byron, The Duke of Killicrankie, and Harriet's Honeymoon. Over the course of her theatrical work she performed alongside Richard Mansfield, John Drew Jr., William H. Crane, Mrs. Fiske, Robert B. Mantell, Henrietta Crosman, Julia Marlowe, Margaret Anglin, and James J. Corbett. She initially found success in emotional roles before her hair turned white prematurely, a development that led her to concentrate on grand dame characters.

Lester entered silent film in 1916, appearing that year in Molly Make-Believe, Destiny's Toy, The Social Secretary, The Kiss, and A Coney Island Princess. She later appeared alongside Clara Bow in Black Oxen. Her final films, The Meddler, Raffles the Amateur Cracksman, and The Price of Pleasure, were released in 1925.

Lester died on 12 October 1924 at the age of 67 from burns sustained in an explosion inside her dressing room at Universal Studios in Hollywood. Studio personnel broke down the door to reach her, and she was transported unconscious to Hollywood Hospital, where she died from burns to her hair, face, hands, and upper body. The explosion was believed to have resulted from a leaking gas stove connection that ignited when she attempted to light it. Her body was taken to the J. W. Todd undertaking establishment in Culver City, California, and she was cremated at Rosedale Cemetery. At the time of her death she was residing at 7131 Bagley Avenue, Culver City.