Motion Picture Director, Actor. Born in Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland, he came to the United States in 1890 and worked in a variety of jobs before finding work on the New York City theatre stage under the name Cunningham Deane. In 1908, he deserted his wife and a young daughter, and took the name William Desmond Taylor. He appeared in several silent films and in 1914, he made his directorial debut with "The Awakening." He directed more than forty films over the next seven years, served as a Captain in the Canadian Army during the latter part of World War I. He also served as president of the Motion Picture Directors Association. He had directed such acting greats as Mary Pickford, Dustin Farnum, Wallace Reid, and Mary Miles Minter. His notable films included "Davy Crockett," "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn," "The Green Temptation," and "Anne of the Green Gables." Approximately 7:30 a.m. on February 2, 1922, valet Henry Peavey arrived, and discovered Taylor's body on the living room floor. Among the items found on the body, was a wallet with $78 in it, a silver cigarette case, an ivory toothpick, and a Waltham pocket watch, a wrist watch, and a two-carat diamond ring was on his finger. Another director, Charles Maigne, lived next door to Taylor. Actors Agnes Ayres, Douglas MacLean, and Edna Purviance also lived in Alvarado Court (West Lake Park), where Taylor's home was. Several people came to the home, to tamper with, and or remove evidence. They didn't want another scandal in Hollywood, as Taylor's murder occurred while Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was on trial for the murder of Virginia Rappe. The police investigation focused on some of Hollywood's biggest stars at the time, including silent screen actress Mabel Normand.
Motion Picture Director, Actor. Born in Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland, he came to the United States in 1890 and worked in a variety of jobs before finding work on the New York City theatre stage under the name Cunningham Deane. In 1908, he deserted his wife and a young daughter, and took the name William Desmond Taylor. He appeared in several silent films and in 1914, he made his directorial debut with "The Awakening." He directed more than forty films over the next seven years, served as a Captain in the Canadian Army during the latter part of World War I. He also served as president of the Motion Picture Directors Association. He had directed such acting greats as Mary Pickford, Dustin Farnum, Wallace Reid, and Mary Miles Minter. His notable films included "Davy Crockett," "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn," "The Green Temptation," and "Anne of the Green Gables." Approximately 7:30 a.m. on February 2, 1922, valet Henry Peavey arrived, and discovered Taylor's body on the living room floor. Among the items found on the body, was a wallet with $78 in it, a silver cigarette case, an ivory toothpick, and a Waltham pocket watch, a wrist watch, and a two-carat diamond ring was on his finger. Another director, Charles Maigne, lived next door to Taylor. Actors Agnes Ayres, Douglas MacLean, and Edna Purviance also lived in Alvarado Court (West Lake Park), where Taylor's home was. Several people came to the home, to tamper with, and or remove evidence. They didn't want another scandal in Hollywood, as Taylor's murder occurred while Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was on trial for the murder of Virginia Rappe. The police investigation focused on some of Hollywood's biggest stars at the time, including silent screen actress Mabel Normand.
Inscription
In Memory of William C. Deane-Tanner
Beloved Father of Ethel Deane-Tanner
Died February 1, 1922
Family Members
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