Thelma Salter (January 15, 1908 â November 17, 1953) was an American child actress during the silent film era. She starred in several Triangle Film Corporation productions during the 1910s, including leading roles in the films The Crab (1917) and In Slumberland (1917âÂÂ1918). During her brief but widely publicized career, Salter was frequently praised in national promotional campaigns as one of the most appealing child performers in motion pictures.
Salter was born in Los Angeles, California. She began acting in motion pictures at a very young age and was cast in several early Triangle-Kay Bee productions under the supervision of producer Thomas H. Ince. By 1917, she had gained recognition in Triangle features and was frequently promoted as a screen personality in her own right.
In the five-reel drama The Crab, Salter portrayed Ivy Marten, a cheerful orphan girl who is adopted by a reclusive millionaire. Her characterâÂÂs kindness gradually transforms the manâÂÂs cold demeanor and redeems him emotionally. Contemporary film promotions described SalterâÂÂs performance as central to the filmâÂÂs appeal.
Later in 1917, Salter starred in In Slumberland, a fantasy film directed by Irvin Willat and written by L. V. Jefferson. She co-starred with Georgie Stone in a story set in a dreamlike magical world. The production featured elaborate visual effects and double exposures, and was promoted as a childrenâÂÂs fantasy with fairy tale elements.
During her brief period of fame, Salter was widely promoted as a featured child performer. Promotional materials and press coverage referred to her as âÂÂthe cutest child actress in motion pictures today,â âÂÂthe beautiful and talented child star,â and âÂÂthe worldâÂÂs greatest child actress.âÂÂ
Salter also appeared in a supporting role in Happiness (1917), a Triangle drama starring Enid Bennett. She had previously been featured in multiple uncredited Triangle-Kay Bee shorts during the mid-1910s.
Salter would later appear as Becky Thatcher in the 1920 film adaptation of Huckleberry Finn. She also played an uncredited extra in the 1925 romantic comedy film Bright Lights.
Salter retired from acting after 1929. She later married writer-producer Edward Kaufman. She died on November 17, 1953, in Hollywood, California, at the age of 45. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.