Early stage performances Barriscale's first verifiable performance was an 1896 tour of
Shore Acres with
James A. Herne. Her first known credit as Bessie Barriscale comes from a poorly received 1901 stock company performance of
The Widow Bedott, for which she was the only actress praised. During spring 1902 Barriscale was the Proctor Stock Company's ingenue at the
Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York. While performing ''The Rift Within Love's Cloud
, a one-act comedy by F. Clifford Smith, during late March and early April, she met actor Sumner Gard, also in the play. On April 30, 1902, they were married in Manhattan. She did not tell her parents until January 1, 1903. For a while they toured together with Proctor, but during summer 1902 Barriscale joined another tour playing In Old Kentucky'', which would last two years. She then married another actor,
Howard C. Hickman, in Manhattan on October 17, 1906.
Film and later stage work Barriscale began her film career in 1913, debuting on-screen in Lasky Picture Company's
Rose of the Rancho. Barriscale announced the formation at a news conference on May 1, 1917. Plans called for the company to produce six to eight features each year. Another new company, Paralta Plays, was designated to distribute the films.
James Young was hired as one of three directors for Barriscale's new company. In 1918, Barriscale was contracted by J.L. Frothingham of B.B. Features and the Roberson Cole Company to make 16 films. B.B. Features was an Arizona corporation. The movies were to be completed, produced, and delivered by January 21, 1921. At this time, Miss Barriscale's managers insured her life for a half million dollars against eventualities. The total cost of the features totaled more than $1,000,000. Barriscale was enthusiastic about
William Shakespeare and wanted to bring one of his plays to the screen. The actress was also an excellent swimmer. In
The Woman Michael Married (1919), she was featured in a movie adapted from a novel by
Annette Kellermann. Barriscale went so far as to hire a swimming and diving instructor and took lessons in Venice, California. A 90-foot pool was constructed at Brunton Studios where the scenes were shot. The film was directed by Henry Kolker. In 1919, she traveled with her husband—actor, director, and film producer—
Howard C. Hickman and their small son on a world tour. They anticipated producing motion pictures during their journey and traveled with a cameraman. In 1921, Barriscale came east to play in
The Skirt. The play was to travel to Philadelphia and Boston after opening in Washington, D.C.. Later the production appeared in New York City. In prior years, Barriscale participated in plays for the
Belasco Theater in Los Angeles and once appeared in Belasco productions, notably
Bird of Paradise written by
Richard Walton Tully. She played a princess named Luana. During the early years, Barriscale was in vaudeville, with two-a-day, three-a-day, and even four-a-day performances not uncommon. '', 1917 Actor
Jackie Coogan and his parents purchased the home of Bessie Barriscale in Pellisier Square, Los Angeles in February 1922. The residence was valued at $45,000. Barriscale returned to the stage in
Women Go On Forever. She had been married 21 years and had a son age 20 at this time. The production opened at the Hollywood Music Box in March 1928. She played a "housewife type," and confessed to having rehearsed for the role in a gingham dress she took from the wardrobe of her home in Santa Monica, California. Her feet were slightly smaller than her shoes. She said she had been working at home for several years and had just learned to cook. == Death ==