Mayo Methot and Humphrey Bogart had much in common, but once they married, media outlets increasingly portrayed her as somewhat of a shrieking shrew.
Mayo Methot circa 1940
By the time the above photo was taken, Mayo had all but disengaged from both the theatre and film. When the topic of her future was raised, Mayo stated “I’m not interested in my career anymore. Humphrey’s career is my interest.” Bogart responded with “Thank you, darling. And to my surprise and amazement, the bride can cook.”
While some are familiar with actress Mayo Methot, few realize she was once known as ‘The Portland Rosebud.’ That moniker stems from her early performances with Portland’s Baker Theatre. Since Portland has long been known as ‘The City of Roses,’ the name seemed apt and stuck.
Young Mayo’s fame only grew when a Portland advertising group traveled to the east coast in 1913. That effort was undertaken for advertisers and ad agencies to send more national advertising dollars to the west coast. Mayo Methot was selected as a mascot of sorts to travel with the group. She was introduced to audiences across the nation as ‘The Portland Rosebud,’ with the main stop being the White House. That’s where 9 year old Mayo Methot presented President Woodrow Wilson—appropriately enough—with roses.
Ever after, Mayo’s nickname nationwide was ‘The Portland Rosebud.’
Mayo Methot’s accomplishments on the stage and in film are well documented. Less known are her grandmother’s pursuits. Elizabeth Wood, mother to Mayo’s own mom Evelyn Methot, invented a ‘mop wringer pail’ that was patented in 1889.
Her mop pail design was eventually marketed through Elizabeth’s own firm, Wood & Company. Elizabeth Wood died in 1906 at the age of 61, just two years after granddaughter Mayo’s birth.
Mayo Methot 