Kovert Of Hollywood

Video + Vintage Photos

Aug 14, 2024

“Washington is Hollywood for ugly people.”
Joe Scarborough

VIDEO

During Hollywood's golden age of silent film, Frederick Kovert was an up and coming star who colored outside the lines—even for the 1920s.

A popular female impersonator, Kovert captivated audiences with his beauty and grace, becoming one of the most sought-after performers of his time.

His live performances, particularly the renowned Peacock Dance, were legendary—Kovert would glide across the stage in a magnificent dress adorned with iridescent feathers, creating a vision of elegance that was both mesmerizing and unforgettable.

Kovert’s flair for the dramatic didn’t stop at performing. His creative talents extended behind the scenes as well. In addition to having a small onscreen role, Kovert was the uncredited costume designer for the first film adaptation of *The Wizard of Oz,* bringing his unique style to the silver screen.

But as the silent era faded and synchronized sound took over Hollywood, the roles that had once made Kovert a star began to disappear.

In 1934, the introduction of the Hays Code further tightened the noose, as Hollywood’s new morality standards left little room for the cross-dressing characters that had made Kovert famous.

As the spotlight dimmed on his acting career, Kovert sought a new creative outlet and founded Kovert of Hollywood, one of the earliest physique photographic studios on the West Coast.

Kovert of Hollywood was more than just a photo studio. It was a haven for artists, actors, and dreamers alike. Here, Kovert channeled his creative talents into directing and photographing the male form, capturing the beauty and strength of his subjects with the same artistry that had once defined his stage and screen performances.

His photography studio became a breeding ground for young talent, including Bob Mizer, who would later become a legend in his own right.

Under Kovert’s mentorship, aspiring photographers gained technical experience while learning creative lessons they would carry throughout their careers.

Despite his early success, the pressures of life in a rapidly changing Hollywood took their toll on Kovert. The disappointments of a career that had once soared to great heights began to weigh heavily on him.

In 1945, Kovert of Hollywood was raided, adding further turmoil to an already complicated life. Amidst the chaos, many of his apprentices, including Bob Mizer, left to start their own businesses and studios.

Tragically, Frederick Kovert’s story ended far too soon when he took his own life in 1949, leaving behind a legacy that is as brilliant as it was brief.

While much of his work has been lost to time, some have survived, inspiring generations of artists and photographers to carry his vision forward into the future.