Born in Brussels, Belgium, in 1890, Corday was a niece of violinist Eugène Ysaÿe.

[1] She learned to play violin and piano, studying at the Conservatoire de Paris[2] and was a concert pianist until she fell and broke her arm.

She acted in Paris with the Vieux Colombier company, headed by Jacques Copeau.

Not limited to English-speaking roles, Corday acted in Dutch, French, German, and Italian.

[3] Officially, her American film career began in 1925, but it is claimed she had a small uncredited role in Fred Niblo's 1924 film, The Red Lily, where she was menaced by Dick Sutherland in a bar.