Personal life Lillian Gish

lillian , sister dorothy, 1921

gish never married or had children. association between gish , d. w. griffith close suspected romantic connection, issue never acknowledged gish, although several of associates were @ least briefly involved. remainder of life, referred him mr. griffith . involved producer charles duell , drama critic , editor george jean nathan. in 1920s, gish s association duell of tabloid scandal because had sued , made details of relationship public.

lillian gish sister of actress dorothy gish. survivor of 1918 flu pandemic, having contracted flu during filming of broken blossoms.

gish learned french, german, , italian during 15 years in europe, first visited in 1917. george jean nathan praised gish s acting glowingly—comparing eleonora duse.

during period of political turmoil in lasted outbreak of world war ii in europe until attack on pearl harbor, maintained outspoken noninterventionist stance. active member of america first committee, anti-intervention organization founded retired general robert e. wood aviation pioneer charles lindbergh leading spokesman. said blacklisted film , theater industries until signed contract in promised cease anti-interventionist activities , never disclose fact had agreed so.

she maintained close relationship sister dorothy , mary pickford entire life. of closest friends actress helen hayes, first lady of american theatre . gish godmother of hayes s son james macarthur. gish designated hayes beneficiary of estate, hayes surviving less month.