Lita Chevret

Lita Chevret
Chevret in the 1930 film The Pay-Off
Born	(1908-05-27)May 27, 1908 Oakland, California
Died	May 23, 2001(2001-05-23) (aged 92)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1929–1940
Spouses	Alfred Hickman Carlton Williams

Lita Chevret (May 27, 1908 – May 23, 2001^{[citation needed]}) was an American actress who began her career at the genesis of sound films. She appeared in over 60 films between 1929 and 1940, although in most of those she had small or non-billed parts.

Chevret was born on May 27, 1908, in Oakland, California, to show-business parents, who ensured that she received training in both singing and dance.^{[1][2][unreliable source?]}

Chevret began acting with a stock theater company when she was 16 years old.^[3] She also appeared in Berkeley productions of Irving Pichel and in Fanchon and Marco revues.^[4]

Based on her dancing ability, Chevret broke into the film business in 1929's Fox Movietone Follies of 1929,^[1] with an uncredited role. The following year she appeared in Words and Music in a small unbilled role, in John Wayne's first film where he had a significant role (billed as Duke Morrison).^[5] That same year, she appeared in RKO Radio Pictures' Rio Rita, their most successful picture of the year.^[5][6]

In 1930, RKO would offer Chevret a 3-year contract, which would be renewed for an additional 3 years. However, she was relegated to mostly small and bit roles while under contract with RKO. When her contract expired in 1936, she made the decision not to renew, and to attempt to become a freelance actress.^[2]

She continued acting for another five years, still in small and often unbilled roles, until her retirement in 1941. Her final role was a small part in The Philadelphia Story.^[7]

Chevret was married to Alfred Hickman^[8] and Carlton Williams.^[9]

(Filmography based on the AFI database, with supplemental information from Media Bang)^[5][7]