On June 24, 1916, America’s Sweetheart, Mary Pickford signed a contract with that would earn her over a million dollars a year. 
‘“Is my old house still standing? You know I am keen of mind to buy that old house and put a tearoom in it with the proceeds going toward the Hospital for Sick Children.’

 
Mary Pickford / Vaudeville
Part of the Canadians in Hollywood (series one)
Issued by Canada Post May 26, 2006
Designers: John Belisle | Kosta Tsetsekas 

The contract gave Pickford full control over film production, a salary of $10,000 a week, and a half share of all profits her films pulled in.  Canadian born Pickford, then known as Gladys Louise Smith, started her career with the Valentine Stock Company in Toronto and later moved to working with the Toronto’s Princess Theatre. Eventually, Pickford and her family would hit the road on the theatre circuit, eventually landing a leading role on Broadway in 1906. In 1907, after joining the David Belasco Theatre, she changed her name to Mary Pickford. She landed her first film role in 1909, Her First Biscuits, directed by  D.W. Griffith. By 1916, Pickford was one of the top box office draws in film. 

On May 3, 1940, Pickford again returned to Toronto with her third husband, Buddy Rogers. Landing at the Island airport, she eagerly asked a reporter about the house on University Avenue:

“Is my old house still standing? You know I am keen of mind to buy that old house and put a tearoom in it with the proceeds going toward the Hospital for Sick Children. I have worked on the idea for so long. I have been told I can buy the house but if I want the ground I will have to buy practically the entire block. And at what a price. I don’t believe the house would be of much interest if moved….. it’s the location that counts. It’s my birthplace and I do want it and I do want to help the mothers and children of Toronto.”

Pickford revered the memory of that house on University Avenue. When it was torn down in 1943 she had twenty bricks from it saved and sent to her in California as souvenirs. At the time of demolition, it was reported that the new Mount Sinai Hospital was going to be built on the site where the Pickford house was. 
Early Hollywood Star Mary Pickford and Her Toronto Houses – Local History & Genealogy (typepad.com)