**Edna Purviance (1895-1956)** was a prominent actress of the silent film era, remembered primarily as Charlie Chaplin's principal leading lady and muse.

She appeared alongside him in over 30 films between 1915 and 1923, from early Essanay and Mutual short films to feature films. Among her most celebrated roles was that of the mother in *The Kid* (1921). Her most significant and dramatic role, however, was in *A Woman of Paris* (1923), a film directed by Chaplin himself, which revealed her versatile talent beyond comedy.

Purviance often portrayed elegant, dignified, and vulnerable female characters, capable of expressing both grace and pathos, serving as a serious counterpoint to Chaplin's gags. Despite the critical success of *A Woman of Paris*, her career declined rapidly, although Chaplin continued to support her financially.