Claire Du Brey(1892-1993)

Close friend to Marie Dressler. When Dressler discovered she had cancer, Claire, who had nursing training, served as her caregiver. Unfounded and highly damaging rumors, however, began to circulate as to an intimate relationship between the two and that Claire also had a financial interest in maintaining it. A devastated Claire broke off the friendship despite Dressler's pleas. When Dressler died of her cancer shortly after, there was no mention of Du Brey in Dressler's will. Claire submitted a bill to the estate for $25,000 for "personal nursing and secretarial services" but received only $3,000 by the court.

As extras we were paid $10 a week and we earned every penny of it. We worked from 8 until 6 p.m., six days a week. We hardly had time to wash off our Indian make-up before we were called back before the cameras to appear as pioneer settlers! CD -- recalling her early years as an actress