Nina Byron

Nina Byron, born Nina Clarice Betts on July 27, 1900, in Christchurch, New Zealand, was a New Zealand–American silent film actress and showgirl who built a career spanning both Hollywood and Broadway. She died on January 21, 1987. Her parents were George Arthur Betts and his wife, Grace (Goodman) Betts.

Byron's film career began after she traveled to the United States, where she made her screen debut alongside William S. Hart in the 1917 production Truthful Tulliver. That same year, she appeared as Abby Hope in The Heir of the Ages, a role that drew critical notice for her acting ability, though a reviewer observed that the material did not fully challenge her talents, as her character was largely required to imitate the mannerisms of Mary Pickford. She also served as the ingenue for actor House Peters. Her subsequent film work included The Cruise of the Make-Believes (1918), The Source (1918), The Dub (1919), Johnny Get Your Gun (1919), The Boomerang (1919), and The Broken Butterfly (1919), which marked her final screen appearance.

Byron's Broadway career took place between 1923 and 1924. She was a member of the Ziegfeld Follies during that period, appearing in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1923 Summer Edition. She was also featured in the 1924 Broadway musical Paradise Alley.

Byron married Russian silent film actor Nicholas Dunaew in Los Angeles in 1918. Dunaew later claimed the couple separated in 1920 and sought a divorce citing her conduct. Her second marriage was to cinematographer Harold Rosson in 1924; the two divorced in 1926. In 1939 she married set designer Frank Hotaling, and the two remained married until his death.