Violet Heming was a renowned figure in the world of stage acting, with a strong foundation in English theatre. Her parents, both established actors, instilled in her a passion for the craft from a young age. As a child, Violet found herself in the spotlight, taking on leading roles in productions such as "Peter Pan" and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" under the guidance of Charles Frohman's company.
In 1912, Violet appeared alongside veteran actor George Arliss in his iconic performance of "Disraeli". Around the same time, she began to make a name for herself in film, starring in leading roles for Thanhouser. However, after a two-year stint in the film industry, Violet returned to the stage, joining the Columbia stock company in Washington, D.C. in 1914.
Her subsequent film career was marked by a series of intermittent appearances, with only eight films to her name between 1917 and 1922. Meanwhile, Violet continued to thrive on Broadway, taking on a string of comedic roles in productions such as "Trelawny of the Wells", "The Jest", and "This Thing Called Love".
In 1926, Violet co-founded the Institute of the Woman's Theater alongside Mary Pickford and Helen Hayes, with the aim of supporting and mentoring aspiring young actresses. The following year, she made a half-hearted return to film, earning praise from critics for her role as Mildred Miller in "The Man Who Played God" alongside George Arliss.
Despite receiving critical acclaim, Violet's film career was short-lived, and she soon returned to the stage. In 1932, she starred in "Almost Married", a minor thriller co-starring Ralph Bellamy, but the film failed to leave a lasting impression. Violet continued to perform on stage, eventually marrying former U.S. senator Judge Bennett Champ Clark in 1945. The ceremony was attended by President Harry S. Truman, who served as best man.
