Known For
Acting
Known Credits
11
Gender
Female
Birthday
February 4, 1862 (164 years old)
Place of Birth
Ramsgate, Kent, England, UK
Laura Eugenia Bayley (4 February 1862 – 25 October 1938) was a British actress and filmmaker, active in the Brighton School of early cinema pioneers. Born in Ramsgate, Bayley performed onstage in Victorian burlesques, revues, and pantomimes, often with her three sisters. After marrying the showman George Albert Smith, she entered the world of early experiments with motion picture film; she played main roles in many of the most important films Smith made between 1897 and 1903, including The Kiss in the Tunnel (1899) and Mary Jane's Mishap (1903).
Behind the camera, Bayley likely played a significant hand in the creative development of Smith's fiction films, and may have directed some of those currently credited to him. She also directed and supervised numerous other films on her own, including a series for an early show-at-home projector design. Film historians have highlighted her prolific career as a film performer as well as the creative talent she brought to filmmaking.
| 2024 | Noisy Silencersas (archive footage) | |
| 1906 | Two Clownsas Female clown | |
| 1903 | Mary Jane's Mishapas Mary Jane | |
| 1901 | The Death of Poor Joeas Joe | |
| 1900 | The Old Maid's Valentineas Miss Pimple | |
| 1900 | Let Me Dream Againas Young woman | |
| 1899 | The Kiss in the Tunnelas Wife (as Mrs. George Albert Smith) | |
| 1898 | Santa Clausas | |
| 1898 | Cinderellaas Cinderella | |
| 1897 | The X-Ray Fiendas Woman | |
| 1897 | Hanging Out the Clothesas Maid |