- A few months after she was born her father seemingly deserted the family for the Klondike gold strike. As it turned out, he made $25,000--a small fortune in today's terms--and returned to the family.
- Compson had a reputation for frugality and being a very mercenary negotiator with the studios.
- After she retired from the film industry she and her husband ran a business called Ashtrays Unlimited until her death.
- Compson was sent a 1912 Rolls-Royce by a South American who had it stored in a New York garage. As she already had a limo, she was initially annoyed but later discovered she could rent it to the movie studios at $100 per day. She ultimately made $20,000 on it before selling it. This situation may have been the inspiration for a similar situation in Sunset Boulevard (1950).
- She claimed that director George Loane Tucker taught her almost everything she knew, "the best of literature, music, all the arts, everything".
- Was great friends with Zasu Pitts before she became a star.
- Formed Betty Compson Productions, a film production company, in 1921.
- Began her career as a teenage violinist in vaudeville.
- In 1918 Mack Sennett reportedly offered Compson $150 a week to leave Al Christie. Compson claims that when Sennett confirmed that the offer was legit, she replied, "In that case the bid's not high enough.".
- Interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, USA, Section B, Lot 853, Grave 4.
- Al Christie rechristened her "Betty".
- Cousin of Thelma Worth.
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