A cynical-looking leading lady of the silent era, Mae Busch is now legendary for her work with Erich von Stroheim and as a foil to Laurel and Hardy in many of their comedic two-reelers. She moved to the U.S. as a child and was educated in a New Jersey convent. Joining the Keystone film company while still in her teens, she appeared onscreen from The Agitator/The Cowboy Socialist (1912). Busch did Broadway plays while appearing in scores of silents; she rose to prominence with her lead role in von Stroheim's Foolish Wives (1922). Her work with Laurel and Hardy came after 1930, in the sound era, sometimes playing a vamp, other times appearing as Hardy's wife. Other than bit parts, her last role was in Women Without Names (1940). She was married for a time to actor Francis McDonald.