Biography

Gertrude Olmstead was born in Chicago, IL, on Nov. 13, 1897. She entered the film business early, making her film debut in The Fox (1921) at 17 years of age. The next year she appeared in the hit The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1922). She stayed busy throughout the 1920s, appearing in a total of 41 films. At age 25, however, she made what would be her last picture: The Time, the Place and the Girl (1929). Movies had entered the sound era, but by that time Gertrude was happily married to director Robert Z. Leonard and no longer had any desire or need to stay a struggling starlet.

On January 18, 1975, Gertrude died in Beverly Hills, CA, at the age of 77.
- IMDb mini biography by: Denny Jackson (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous)

Originally cast as Esther in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) but left or was fired after the film's production suffered delays in Italy. The role was recast with May McAvoy.

Olmstead was the winner over 5,900 other entrants in the "Spirit of America" contest sponsored by the Elks Club during their 1920 national convention. The award included an opportunity for a one-year, $10,000. movie contract.