The life of Vivien Oakland, a captivating platinum-blonde actress, took center stage in the world of silent screen comedy. Born to Norwegian immigrant parents, she began her journey in vaudeville at a tender age, later transitioning to films in 1915. Two years later, she made her Broadway debut, showcasing her talents under her birth name, Anderson.
As a prominent feature in two-reelers for Hal Roach, Vivien's forte was the "slow burn," a comedic technique that showcased her ability to convey frustration and exasperation. She often played the role of a put-upon society matron or the long-suffering wife of notable comedians, including Charley Chase, Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel, Edgar Kennedy, and Leon Errol.
Vivien's impressive career spanned decades, with notable appearances in films such as "Mighty Like a Moose" (1926),"Along Came Auntie" (1926),"That's My Wife" (1929),"Love 'Em and Weep" (1927),"Dumb's the Word" (1937),and "Wrong Romance" (1937).
With the advent of sound, Vivien successfully made the transition, collaborating with Laurel & Hardy in "We Faw Down" (1928),"Scram!" (1932),and "Way Out West" (1937). Although her film roles were often small, she made a lasting impression as one of the Florodora Sextette in the musical period romance "The Florodora Girl" (1930).
After retiring in 1951, Vivien settled in Sherman Oaks, California, where she worked as a saleslady at Neff's Toy Store in her final year of life.
