Career
Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Lawson appeared on the Broadway stage as a child in The School Girl (1904). In 1924, Dunbar went to Hollywood, where she starred in several motion pictures, including her role as the heroine in The Amateur Gentleman (1926) opposite Richard Barthelmess, which attracted considerable attention for her. Also in the cast was Boris Karloff, who played a native named Owaza. released in 1927 by Film Booking Offices of America (FBO).
She is said to have had seven husbands, including theatrical producer Maurice (divorced).
Thomas Wells (married October 1926-his death). South American millionaire Jaime De Garson (divorced 1931).
Boxer/actor Max Baer (married July 8, 1931-divorced 1933). Portrait painter Tino Costa (married 1936 -annulled 1937).
And Russell Lawson. She and Lawson had two sons, Richard and Russell.
When Dunbar was preparing to divorce Tommy Wells, she received a cable from him to come to Paris, where he was dying. She rushed to his bedside in the French capital and forgave him. He died in her arms, having succumbed to drug addiction.
She received a $2,500 monthly income from his estate.
She later styled herself as Dorothy Dunbar Wells. In 1936, she completed a book of poetry, but had not found enough nerve to send it to a publisher.
She had long decided movies were behind her. They told her, she said, the documents were to make certain the trusts were held for her, but she learned later the papers were actually waivers of her interest in the trusts.
She died at age ninety in Seattle, Washington.
Her memorial service was private by family.