Norma Shearer, born Edith Norma Shearer on August 10, 1902, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, was a prominent Canadian-American actress who made a significant impact on Hollywood during its Golden Age.

She was known for her glamour, charm, sophistication, and versatility, earning her the nickname "First Lady of the Screen" due to her marriage to Hollywood producer Irving G. Thalberg.

Norma Shearer began her career as a child model and won a beauty contest at age 14. After her family lost their wealth during World War I, her ambitious mother took her and her sister to New York City, hoping to restore the family fortunes through success in show business.

Despite initial rejections due to her physical appearance, she persevered and eventually landed her first feature role in "The Stealers" (1921), which caught the attention of talent scout Irving Thalberg.

Her career flourished at MGM, where she starred in numerous successful films, including "The Divorcee" (1930), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Other notable films include "Marie Antoinette" (1938), "The Women" (1939), and "Romeo and Juliet" (1936).

Norma Shearer was the first actress to be nominated for an Academy Award five times, winning once.

Norma Shearer retired from acting in 1942 and later married Martin Arrougé in 1942. She passed away on June 12, 1983, in Woodland Hills, California.