Per the baptismal records of Mount Vernon Trinity Church (Episcopal), New York, Prentice was born in Mount Vernon, the daughter of Fannie (Mills) and Daniel Prentice, but had ties to a prominent New York City family whose members were listed in the "blue book" social register.

Edward Prentice was vice president and treasurer of the insurance firm of Fox & Pier, Inc.[4] He died following a long illness in San Marino, California, on April 27, 1944, at the age of 67.

[5] Prentice performed in support of Dustin Farnum in The Rangers, an American play produced by Charles Frohman and written by Augustus Thomas.

The production was presented at Wallack's Theatre[6] on Fireman's Night at Luna Park, July 15, 1908, Prentice acted with Robert Edeson in The Call of the North.

[15] The Hartfords, a three-act drama by Rachel Crothers, featured Viola Allen with Prentice in the part of her daughter.

A January 1912 Lyceum Theatre (New York) audience was moved by a scene between the two women, in which Allen realizes her error in placing art before parental obligation.

[18] She acted the role of Chow Wan,[19] the maid to Due Jung Fah,[20] in a 1916 revival of The Yellow Jacket, staged in ten matinee shows at the Cort Theatre.

The theme of the entertainment had a ubiquitous appeal, concentrating on mother love, rake's progress, young romance, and retribution.

[22] She returned to the theater in an Arthur Freed production of Loving Ladies written by Margaret Mayo and Aubrey Kennedy.

[25] In March 1927 Ruth Helen Davis produced Smilin Thru at the Belmont Theater at Vermont and First Street Playhouse, in Los Angeles.

Prentice played the dual roles of Kathleen Dungannon[27] and Moonyeen[28] opposite English actor Wyndham Standing.

[27] Prentice was praised by a critic for her radiant presence and skill in performing two characters and a difficult and emotional third act.