Pauline Garon, the youngest of 11 children, was born in Montreal and spent seven formative years at the prestigious convent school, le Sacre-Coeur. Despite her youth, she had a strong desire to pursue a career in acting, which led her to run away to New York at the tender age of 19.
She began her acting career on Broadway, landing roles in plays such as "Buddies" and "Sonny." Her breakthrough in film came in 1920 with a small part in "Remodeling Her Husband," starring Dorothy Gish. The following year, she landed her first important film role as the daughter-in-law of William H. Tooker in "The Power Within" (1921).
By 1922, Garon's star was rising steadily, with notable roles in "Reported Missing" opposite Owen Moore and "Sonny" directed by Henry King. Her impressive performance caught the attention of Cecil B. DeMille, who cast her in his film "Adam's Rib" (1923) and hailed her as his new discovery. She was also named a Wampas Baby Star that year.
Garon's popularity continued throughout the 1920s, with over 20 film credits to her name, mostly in Poverty Row productions. She often played the second female lead in many A-movies. Her pleasant voice and perfect "Hollywood English" pronunciation made her a sought-after actress.
However, as the 1930s began, Garon's roles began to dwindle. She appeared in a few leads in French versions of Hollywood films and comedy shorts, but her parts grew smaller and smaller. By 1935, she was relegated to bit roles, and her last film credit was a single word, "Divorce," in "How Green Was My Valley" (1941).
Sadly, Garon's life came to a tragic end in 1965, when she passed away at the Patton State Hospital due to a brain disorder.
