Jill Rainsford (January 31, 1905-5 July 1994), born Marguerite Rainsford and known as Billy, is an American actress, songwriter, painter and author. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the second son of Henry and Julia Rainsford and from an early age was dreamed for a career on stage, starting violin lessons and dance at the age of 8. His sister Doris, 4 years older than him, is devoted to Billy and he is a loyal friend all his life. Billy is a member of the famous Kiddie Club in New York and performs with stars like Paulette Goddard, Gene Raymond, and Arlin Riggin, a former Olympic champion. He honed his dance technique at Rutherford High School Productions, and in 1922, at the age of 17, he joined Pat Rooney's "Rings of Smoke" Vaudeville depicting "French girls" on a cross-country tour.
The tour gave him a valuable Vaudeville experience, which took him to the newborn film industry and D.W. The Griffith Company in Mamaroneck, New York. She landed the role of Indian Princess dancing in the movie Griffith America (1924), and appeared in Sally of the Sawdust (1925). In addition, he worked with Griffith to plan a scene for his famous actress, Carol Dempster. When Griffith Studio was closed, Billy continued his film career in other New York studios including: Spitz, Pathe, Famous Players-Lasky and Tech Art starring Dexter McReynolds, Charley Bowers, Fatty Lehman and Duncan Renaldo. He also did some modeling during this period, especially for artist Bradshaw Crandell, who painted several magazine covers and Billy calendars, as well as, portraits of pastels in the collection.
As the film industry moved to the west coast, Billy remained in New York with his mother and sister and began performing in nightclubs at many of New York's famous nightclubs including Don Dickerman, Den Pirate and Country Fair Clubs in Greenwich Village. After a short marriage and the birth of his son Richard Rainsford, he appeared on the cruise ship circuit to Havana. Wanting to spend more time with his only child, Billy started a profitable business writing song lyrics for famous songwriters such as Arthur Gutman, Gilbert Wall, Ray Dallas, and players like Spivy LeVoe, Florence Herbert, Harriet Hutchins, Beth Challis, and IrÃÆ'¨ne Bordoni.
Later, Billy went to have a grocery store wholesale in New York, which he brought with his son and his sister. Billy and Doris then followed Richard's academic career and eventually ended up in Ohio where Billy painted a miniature landscape and wrote his unpublished autobiography 'I Was There Charlie'. Jill "Billy" Rainsford died on July 5, 1994 at the age of 89.
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Source of the article : Wikipedia
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