Florence Annie Bridgwood was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Her mother, Charlotte "Lotta" Bridgwood, was a vaudeville actress, which significantly influenced Florence's early exposure to the performing arts. This environment would shape her future career path and provided her with initial experience in the entertainment industry.

Following in her mother's footsteps, Florence began performing in various stage productions and vaudeville shows. This period was crucial in honing her acting skills and gaining initial recognition as a performer, laying the foundation for her transition to the emerging medium of film.