Canadian actress Barbara Kent dies at age 103

October 22, 2011

, a popular Canadian actress in silent movies who starred in the 1926 film , died on October 13 at the age of 103.

Kent was born Barbara Klowtmann on December 16, 1907 in, Canada.

She was among the last of the surviving players from the silent film period.

She attracted attention in the 1927 film  by swimming nude; she wore a flesh colored bathing suit in scenes that were considered very daring at the time. She made a smooth transition into talking pictures, opposite in the 1929 comedy Welcome Danger.

Over the next few years she landed several roles including one in the 1933 film  - the first non-silent adaptation.

Following the death of her husband in 1949, Kent retreated from public life. She came to refuse to acknowledge her film career and extend very few interviews.