Front:
Za Su Pitts
Childhood Home
Silent Screen Star-Local Girl Makes Good
Santa Cruz, California
USPAL SERVICE
STA
APPR
1994
TION SANTA
CRUZ,
CA
95060
DOD
(29
ZASU PITTS
Back:
ZaSu Pitts
Silent Screen Star - Local Girl Makes Good
ZaSu Pitts (1898-1963) was one of the most enduring
comediennes in film history. Her remarkable career of
nearly 50 years moved successfully from silent films into
the "talkies," and her trademark style of fluttery hands
and plaintive eyes was seen in over 500 films by her own
estimate. Born in Parsons, Kansas, Miss Pitts received her
unusual name as a result of her mother's desire to please
both her sisters. Taking one syllable from each of their
names, Eliza and Susan, Mrs. Pitts came up with the
diplomatic creation of ZaSu. In 1903 the family moved to
Santa Cruz, where their home still stands. As a student at
Santa Cruz High, ZaSu Pitts revealed a natural talent for
comic mimicry and starred in several school plays.
Encouraged by local entrepreneur Fred Swanton as her
agent, she staged a benefit performance at the local
Opera House in 1915 to finance her moving expenses,
set off to Hollywood. Her big break came in 1917 when
she was discovered by Mary Pickford. In silent films Miss
Pitts was generally cast in ingenue roles, though the
brilliant director Erich von Stroheim recognized her
more serious potential and chose her for several drama-
tic roles including his 1923 epic Greed. When sound
revolutionized the industry Miss Pitts established her
identity as a comedienne, and enjoyed a long run of
popular success. In the mid-40s Miss Pitts appeared with
touring threater companies and on Broadway, and she
made regular television appearances in the early 50s. Her
final film role came in 1963, the year she died. ZaSu Pitts
was known for her friendliness, and she took her success
in stride, saying, "I never work at being an actress. I just
act natural. Tell me anything easier than that."
Very
fo
©1994 History Museum of Santa Cruz County
