Pearl Fay White was born on March 4, 1889, in Green Ridge, Missouri. She obtained stage roles starting in high school and when she was 18, she went on tour with the Trousedale Stock Company. In 1910, the aspiring actress caught the eye of the Powers Film Company in New York for whom she first appeared on film. During that time, she was also making movies for the independent studios such as Lubin Studios, Crystal Film Company and Pathé Frères.

It was with Pathé, in 1914, that Pearl White was offered the starring role in "The Perils of Pauline". It was that film which launched the actress to super stardom. Pearl White continued in movies into 1924, after which she retired. She never made a talking movie.

Pearl White was married, very briefly, to actor Victor Sutherland which ended in divorce. A struggling alcoholic, Pearl White passed away on August 4, 1938 from cirrhosis of the liver. She was only 49 years old.

An extremely prolific silent movie actress, Pearl White performed in over 200 movies during her short career. The following are just a small sampling of the extensive work by this actress.

• The Motor Fiend (1910)
• How Rastus Gets His Turkey (1910)
• Oh! That Lemonade (1912)
• Her Kid Sister (1913)
• Knights and Ladies (1913)
• The Perils of Pauline (1914)
• Her New Hat (1914)
• The New Exploits of Elaine (1915)
• The House of Hate (1918)
• A Virgin Paradise (1921)
• Terreur (1924)