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Silent Film Star Marie Osborne Yeats Dies At 99

SAN CLEMENTE (AP) — Silent film child star Marie Osborne Yeats, who was known as Baby Marie Osborne in films such as "Little Mary Sunshine," has died in California at 99.

Daughter Joan Young tells the Los Angeles Times that Yeats died Nov. 11 at her San Clemente home. The cause of death wasn't disclosed, but Yeats had suffered three strokes in her later years.

Director Henry King launched Baby Marie to stardom in 1916 with "Little Mary Sunshine," a film written for her.

"Little Mary Sunshine" was the first in a series of Baby Marie Osborne films that captivated audiences worldwide and led to Baby Marie dolls and paper dolls.

Her film career ended after the 1919 comedy "Miss Gingersnap" and she later had a career as a studio costume supervisor.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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