Clara Bow was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars of the 1920s, but her career collapsed after her closest friend turned against her in a very public and humiliating way. In 1931, Bow’s former secretary and best friend, Daisy DeVoe, stood trial for allegedly stealing from the actress. The case became a media sensation, dragging Bow’s extravagant lifestyle and intimate affairs into the spotlight. DeVoe had taken personal documents, including Bow’s love letters, and these were presented as evidence during the trial.
The public, struggling through the Great Depression, turned on Bow, and her career went into decline. DeVoe was ultimately convicted of grand theft and sentenced to 18 months in prison. But the damage to Bow’s reputation was already done. Bow’s rise to stardom had seemed unstoppable.
She grew up in poverty in Brooklyn, the daughter of parents who had already lost two children. Her mother reportedly told her she would be better off dead than an actress. Despite those painful beginnings, Bow won a major acting contest at age 16 and soon signed a contract with Paramount. She became the poster girl for the flapper era, starring in dozens of films, including Wings, the first movie to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Her distinctive style, including her signature heart-shaped lipstick and natural red hair, made her a nationwide sensation. She was known as the “It” girl, a term used to describe her magnetic appeal. But Bow wanted more than the flapper label. She stated publicly that she wanted to be known as a serious actress, not just an “It” girl.
Her personal life, however, became increasingly complicated. She had a series of public romances and broken engagements, and reports of her behavior at parties made her an outcast among Hollywood’s elite. By 1929, Bow’s finances were in trouble. She hired DeVoe to manage her money, and within 22 months, DeVoe had helped Bow save nearly $250,000.
The friendship soured, and in 1930 the two had a major falling out. DeVoe allegedly took Bow’s personal belongings and tried to blackmail her. Bow refused to give in, and the matter ended up in court. DeVoe accused Bow of heavy drinking and having too many affairs, exposing deeply personal details of Bow’s life in open court.
The trial turned Bow from one of the most desired women in America into one of the most criticized. The accusations were later amplified in a series of newspaper articles that detailed Bow’s personal life in explicit terms. Even after the editor of the publication went to jail, the rumors stuck. The scandal gave Paramount a reason not to renew Bow’s contract, and after a few unsuccessful films, the studio let her go.
Bow tried a few more films with another studio, but her career was effectively over. By age 28, she had finished her final film, number 57, and left Hollywood for good. She moved to a ranch in Nevada with her husband, Rex Bell, where she lived quietly and raised their two sons. She passed away at age 60.
The fall from grace was rapid and painful. Decades later, Bow is still remembered as the wild “It” girl of the 1920s, a label she never really wanted. But the story of how her closest friend helped bring her down, and the public scandal that followed, remains a striking example of how quickly fame can turn to ruin.