Mary Astor was an American actress born on May 3, 1906, in Quincy, Illinois. She began her career in silent films during the 1920s and became a prominent star in Hollywood. Astor is best known for her roles in classic films such as The Maltese Falcon and Meet Me in St. Louis. Throughout her career, she received critical acclaim and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Great Lie in 1941. Astor's talent and versatility allowed her to transition successfully from silent films to talkies, making her a significant figure in the film industry.