Born in Decatur, Illinois[2] in 1901, Ferguson graduated from Nicholas High School of Chicago and the Academy of Fine Arts.

Ferguson began working in films as a stunt girl when she was 12 years old,[3] although her first recorded credits are in 1917.

[3] Following her second marriage, she left films to concentrate on stage work, though she only received minimal success in this medium.

In 1933, she left acting altogether to become a publicity and public relations counselor,[2] a job that made her a major power in Hollywood, because she was representing such big name stars as Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Robert Taylor, among others.

She kept reporters from needlessly disturbing Young and was considered one of the foremost "suppress agents" in Hollywood.