She started as one of Mack Sennett`s bathing beauties in 1924 and was soon signed to Fox, after being named a WAMPAS Baby Star in 1925. Olive quickly became one of their most popular and highest paid stars. She also made movies for Columbia and Radio Pictures, often playing beautiful, sophisticated types. During this time she worked with some directors who would go on to achieve major fame, including John Ford, Howard Hawks and Leo McCarey. It was said that Olive had the most beautiful figure in Hollywood. Her trademark was her jet black hair.

When Fox cut her salary she walked out on her contract. By this point a major star, the nature of Borden`s voice required a change in casting type by the advent of the `talkies`. She made several movies in the early 1930s, playing a younger, more modern sort of character. Her last screen credit came in 1934.

Olive Borden was born born in Richmond, Virginia and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and Norfolk, Virginia. She was an only child and convinced her mother Sibbie to take her Hollywood when she was a teenager. Olive had two failed marriages and was romantically involved with actor George O`Brien (actor). By the 1940s she was bankrupt and suffering from alcoholism. She became a nurse`s aide and volunteered as a WAAC during World War II. Her final years were spent cleaning floors at the Sunshine Mission, a home for destitute women. She died there on October 1, 1947 from a stomach ailment caused by years of alcohol abuse. One of the few items she owned was a glossy photo of herself signed "Sincerely, Olive Borden". Olive was only 41 years old. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) in Glendale, California. Her mother Sibbie was laid to rest in the grave next to her.

Olive Borden has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. She was one of the first eight stars chosen to receive a star in 1960. Her name was drawn randomly from hundreds of nominees.