Marshall Ambrose Neilan, known as "Mickey" Neilan, was an American film director, actor, screenwriter, and producer, and a prominent figure of the silent film era. He began his career as an actor, often working under the direction of D.W. Griffith, before establishing himself as one of the most successful directors of the late 1910s and early 1920s. His name is inextricably linked to his collaboration with actress Mary Pickford, for whom he directed some of her most famous and acclaimed films, including *Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm* (1917), *The Little Princess* (1917), and *Daddy-Long-Legs* (1919). His directorial style, characterized by a notable naturalness and spontaneity, helped to define the film acting of the period. However, his career suffered a rapid decline with the advent of sound, compounded by personal problems and a reputation for unreliability. For his fundamental contribution to the film industry, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.