Actor. He was best known for playing the roles of doctors, attorneys, detectives, bartenders, politicians, wardens, businessmen, and judges, usually in crime, action, or western films. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Howard Van Keel' in the short film drama, "The Co-respondent" (1917). The film which was directed by Ralph Ince, which was written by Alice Leal Pollock and Rita Weiman, and which also starred Elaine Hammerstein, Wilfred Lucas, Winifred Harris, and Richard Neil, tells the story of Ann Gray who annoys her narrow-minded New England aunt by writing stories - which she sells to the New York Ledger - on an old typewriter left to her by her father. Longing for attractions available only outside her small town, Ann elopes with visiting dissolute multi-millionaire, Howard Van Kreel, who identifies himself as Robert Gordon, but she leaves when detectives from his wife interrupt their mock marriage ceremony. In New York, Ann distinguishes herself as a reporter for the Ledger and falls in love with managing editor Richard Manning. After the paper publishes a rumor about the Van Kreels' approaching divorce suit involving an unnamed co-respondent, Van Kreel threatens to sue for libel and ruin Manning's career unless the co-respondent is named. Manning sends Ann to investigate, and she discovers that she is the co-respondent. After some deliberation, Ann tells Manning the truth. Although he does not want to print the story, Ann, who reminds him of his record of publishing the truth, writes it. After Manning thrashes Van Kreel and makes him apologize to Ann, Manning has his assistant prepare an announcement of his upcoming marriage to Ann. He was born in New York, New York, to Fred Frear Anderson and his wife Hattie Anderson on March 6, 1886. He began his acting career in several stage productions including at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts, and on Broadway in New York City including in plays such as, 'Tom Cunningham' in "The Time, The Place And The Girl" (August 05, 1907, to September 06, 1908), as 'Tod McAlpin' in "The Queen Of The Moulin Rouge" (December 07, 1908, to April 24, 1909), "The Girl With The Whooping Cough" (April 25, 1910, to May 1910), as 'Apollo' in "Up And Down Broadway" (July 18, 1910, to September 17, 1910), as 'Egbert Keskiesko' in "He Came From Milwaukee" (September 21, 1910, to December 31, 1910), as 'Phillipe' in "The Duchess" (October 16, 1911, to November 04, 1911), as 'Paul Normand' in "Tantalizing Tommy" (October 01, 1912, to October 26, 1912), "The Dove Of Peace" (November 04, 1912, to November 16, 1912), "The High Cost Of Loving" (August 25, 1914), as 'Vernon Popple' in "Nobody Home" (April 20, 1915, to August 07, 1915), "Coat-Tales" (July 31, 1916, to August 1916), and as 'Clyde Macey' in "Furs And Frills" (October 09, 1917, to November 03, 1917). It was during this time that World War I broke out and he put his acting career on hold to serve his country. He enlisted into the military at Fort Slocum, New York, on April 29, 1918, and was then assigned to Company A, 105th Machine Gun Battalion, 27th Division, at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina. He was then transferred to Company D, 105th Machine Gun Battalion, 27th Division, but the actual date is not known. Following his training at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, with the 105th Machine Gun Battalion, he shipped out for Europe, onboard the USS Calomares, from Newport News, Virginia, on May 17, 1918. The USS Calomares docked in St. Nazaire, France, on May 30, 1918. He then fought in battle in both Belgium and France. He was wounded in action along with 24 other members of his company, near the vicinity of Mount Kemmel, Belgium, on September 3, 1918. He returned to the United States aboard the USS Leviathan, which docked at Hoboken, New Jersey, on March 6, 1919. He marched as a hero in the great "Welcome Home Parade," for the 27th Division, up famous 5th Avenue, in New York City, New York, on March 25, 1919. He was discharged from active military service on April 1, 1919, at Camp Upton, New York. Following his military service, he returned to his acting career. Among his other Broadway plays are, "The Passing Show Of 1922" (September 20, 1922, to December 02, 1922), as 'Craig' in "Gypsy Jim" (January 14, 1924, to February 1924), "Vogues Of 1924" (March 27, 1924, to July 12, 1924), as 'Herbie Salute' and also directed, "The Strawberry Blonde" (February 07, 1927, to February 1927), "A Night In Spain" (May 03, 1927, to November 12, 1927), as 'Tony Sicardo' in "Congratulations" (April 30, 1929, to June 1929), as 'Officer' in "Suspense" (August 12, 1930, to August 1930), as 'Bob Wilson' in "Nina Rosa" (September 20, 1930, to January 17, 1931), as 'Mr. O'Rourke' in "Face the Music" (January 31, 1933, to February 25, 1933), as 'General Courot' in "Her Man Of Wax" (October 11, 1933, to October 1933), as 'Sergeant Morris' in "Laburnum Grove" (January 14, 1935, to May 1935), as 'Clerk of Court' in "Night Of January 16" (September 16, 1935, to April 1936), and as 'Guard' in "Catherine Was Great" (August 02, 1944, to January 13, 1945). During his time on the stage, he worked with the likes of Mel Ferrer, Arthur Pierson, and Mae West. During this time he had also made the transition to films. He made his actual film debut playing the role of 'John Grandon' in the film drama, "Little Pal" (1915), which was directed by James Kirkwood, and which also starred Mary Pickford, Russell Bassett, and Bert Hadley. Besides, "Little Pal" (1915), and "The Co-respondent" (1917), his many other film credits include, "The Question" (1916), "The Shadow Of A Doubt" (1916), "The Almighty Dollar" (1916), "Her Man" (1918), "Main Street Follies" (1935), "Nut Guilty" (1936), "Night Of Mystery" (1937), "Hotel Haywire" (1937), "Under Suspicion" (1938), "Born To Be Wild" (1938), "The Saint In New York" (1938), "King Of Alcatraz" (1938), "Crime Takes A Holiday" (1938), "King Of Chinatown" (1939), "The Lady's From Kentucky" (1939), "Union Pacific" (1939), "Undercover Doctor" (1939), "They All Come Out" (1939), "Million Dollar Legs" (1939), "Behind Prison Gates" (1939), "The Man They Could Not Hang" (1939), "A Woman Is The Judge" (1939), "Our Neighbors-The Carters" (1939), "Chip Of The Flying U" (1939), "The Earl Of Chicago" (1940), "Santa Fe Marshal" (1940), "Women Without Names" (1940), "The Way Of All Flesh" (1940), "Hidden Gold" (1940), "The Great McGinty" (1940), "Golden Gloves" (1940), "The Secret Seven" (1940), "Glamour For Sale" (1940), "The Quarterback" (1940), "Christmas In July" (1940), "Hold Back The Dawn" (1941), "Sullivan's Travels" (1941), "South Of Santa Fe" (1942), "Reap The Wild Wind" (1942), "This Gun For Hire" (1942), "The Palm Beach Story" (1942), "The Major And The Minor" (1942), "Idaho" (1943), 'Dixie" (1943), "The Underdog" (1943), "The Chance Of A Lifetime" (1943), "Henry Aldrich Haunts A House" (1943), "Destination Tokyo" (1943), "Henry Aldrich Plays Cupid" (1944), "Once Upon A Time" (1944), "Hail The Conquering Hero" (1944), "The Great Moment" (1944), "Wilson" (1944), "The Missing Juror" (1944), "Murder, My Sweet" (1944), "Those Endearing Young Charms" (1945), "The Unseen" (1945), "Nob Hill" (1945), "Shady Lady" (1945), "Mildred Pierce" (1945), "Road To Utopia" (1945), "Masquerade In Mexico" (1945), "Because Of Him" (1946), "The Bride Wore Boots" (1946), "The Killers" (1946), "California" (1947), "My Brother Talks To Horses" (1947), "Blaze Of Noon" (1947), "Desperate" (1947), "The Perils Of Pauline" (1947), "Song Of The Thin Man" (1947), "Unconquered" (1947), "My Wild Irish Rose" (1947), "King of The Gamblers" (1948), and his last role playing 'Allen Pierce' in the romance mystery film drama, "The Argyle Secrets" (1948), which was directed and written by Cy Endfield, and which also starred William Gargan, Marjorie Lord, and Ralph Byrd. He passed away from cancer at the Motion Picture Country Home in Los Angeles, California, (some sources say London, England, but this information is incorrect), on August 26, 1948, at the age of 62. His funeral service was held through Pierce Bros. Hollywood Chapel and he was cremated and inurned at the Chapel of the Pines in Los Angeles, California. He was married to the actress and singer Fritzi Scheff (1879-1954), in New Rochelle, New York, on December 24, 1913. The couple later divorced. He was also married to Eleanor Anderson. He had no children.
Actor. He was best known for playing the roles of doctors, attorneys, detectives, bartenders, politicians, wardens, businessmen, and judges, usually in crime, action, or western films. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Howard Van Keel' in the short film drama, "The Co-respondent" (1917). The film which was directed by Ralph Ince, which was written by Alice Leal Pollock and Rita Weiman, and which also starred Elaine Hammerstein, Wilfred Lucas, Winifred Harris, and Richard Neil, tells the story of Ann Gray who annoys her narrow-minded New England aunt by writing stories - which she sells to the New York Ledger - on an old typewriter left to her by her father. Longing for attractions available only outside her small town, Ann elopes with visiting dissolute multi-millionaire, Howard Van Kreel, who identifies himself as Robert Gordon, but she leaves when detectives from his wife interrupt their mock marriage ceremony. In New York, Ann distinguishes herself as a reporter for the Ledger and falls in love with managing editor Richard Manning. After the paper publishes a rumor about the Van Kreels' approaching divorce suit involving an unnamed co-respondent, Van Kreel threatens to sue for libel and ruin Manning's career unless the co-respondent is named. Manning sends Ann to investigate, and she discovers that she is the co-respondent. After some deliberation, Ann tells Manning the truth. Although he does not want to print the story, Ann, who reminds him of his record of publishing the truth, writes it. After Manning thrashes Van Kreel and makes him apologize to Ann, Manning has his assistant prepare an announcement of his upcoming marriage to Ann. He was born in New York, New York, to Fred Frear Anderson and his wife Hattie Anderson on March 6, 1886. He began his acting career in several stage productions including at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts, and on Broadway in New York City including in plays such as, 'Tom Cunningham' in "The Time, The Place And The Girl" (August 05, 1907, to September 06, 1908), as 'Tod McAlpin' in "The Queen Of The Moulin Rouge" (December 07, 1908, to April 24, 1909), "The Girl With The Whooping Cough" (April 25, 1910, to May 1910), as 'Apollo' in "Up And Down Broadway" (July 18, 1910, to September 17, 1910), as 'Egbert Keskiesko' in "He Came From Milwaukee" (September 21, 1910, to December 31, 1910), as 'Phillipe' in "The Duchess" (October 16, 1911, to November 04, 1911), as 'Paul Normand' in "Tantalizing Tommy" (October 01, 1912, to October 26, 1912), "The Dove Of Peace" (November 04, 1912, to November 16, 1912), "The High Cost Of Loving" (August 25, 1914), as 'Vernon Popple' in "Nobody Home" (April 20, 1915, to August 07, 1915), "Coat-Tales" (July 31, 1916, to August 1916), and as 'Clyde Macey' in "Furs And Frills" (October 09, 1917, to November 03, 1917). It was during this time that World War I broke out and he put his acting career on hold to serve his country. He enlisted into the military at Fort Slocum, New York, on April 29, 1918, and was then assigned to Company A, 105th Machine Gun Battalion, 27th Division, at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina. He was then transferred to Company D, 105th Machine Gun Battalion, 27th Division, but the actual date is not known. Following his training at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, with the 105th Machine Gun Battalion, he shipped out for Europe, onboard the USS Calomares, from Newport News, Virginia, on May 17, 1918. The USS Calomares docked in St. Nazaire, France, on May 30, 1918. He then fought in battle in both Belgium and France. He was wounded in action along with 24 other members of his company, near the vicinity of Mount Kemmel, Belgium, on September 3, 1918. He returned to the United States aboard the USS Leviathan, which docked at Hoboken, New Jersey, on March 6, 1919. He marched as a hero in the great "Welcome Home Parade," for the 27th Division, up famous 5th Avenue, in New York City, New York, on March 25, 1919. He was discharged from active military service on April 1, 1919, at Camp Upton, New York. Following his military service, he returned to his acting career. Among his other Broadway plays are, "The Passing Show Of 1922" (September 20, 1922, to December 02, 1922), as 'Craig' in "Gypsy Jim" (January 14, 1924, to February 1924), "Vogues Of 1924" (March 27, 1924, to July 12, 1924), as 'Herbie Salute' and also directed, "The Strawberry Blonde" (February 07, 1927, to February 1927), "A Night In Spain" (May 03, 1927, to November 12, 1927), as 'Tony Sicardo' in "Congratulations" (April 30, 1929, to June 1929), as 'Officer' in "Suspense" (August 12, 1930, to August 1930), as 'Bob Wilson' in "Nina Rosa" (September 20, 1930, to January 17, 1931), as 'Mr. O'Rourke' in "Face the Music" (January 31, 1933, to February 25, 1933), as 'General Courot' in "Her Man Of Wax" (October 11, 1933, to October 1933), as 'Sergeant Morris' in "Laburnum Grove" (January 14, 1935, to May 1935), as 'Clerk of Court' in "Night Of January 16" (September 16, 1935, to April 1936), and as 'Guard' in "Catherine Was Great" (August 02, 1944, to January 13, 1945). During his time on the stage, he worked with the likes of Mel Ferrer, Arthur Pierson, and Mae West. During this time he had also made the transition to films. He made his actual film debut playing the role of 'John Grandon' in the film drama, "Little Pal" (1915), which was directed by James Kirkwood, and which also starred Mary Pickford, Russell Bassett, and Bert Hadley. Besides, "Little Pal" (1915), and "The Co-respondent" (1917), his many other film credits include, "The Question" (1916), "The Shadow Of A Doubt" (1916), "The Almighty Dollar" (1916), "Her Man" (1918), "Main Street Follies" (1935), "Nut Guilty" (1936), "Night Of Mystery" (1937), "Hotel Haywire" (1937), "Under Suspicion" (1938), "Born To Be Wild" (1938), "The Saint In New York" (1938), "King Of Alcatraz" (1938), "Crime Takes A Holiday" (1938), "King Of Chinatown" (1939), "The Lady's From Kentucky" (1939), "Union Pacific" (1939), "Undercover Doctor" (1939), "They All Come Out" (1939), "Million Dollar Legs" (1939), "Behind Prison Gates" (1939), "The Man They Could Not Hang" (1939), "A Woman Is The Judge" (1939), "Our Neighbors-The Carters" (1939), "Chip Of The Flying U" (1939), "The Earl Of Chicago" (1940), "Santa Fe Marshal" (1940), "Women Without Names" (1940), "The Way Of All Flesh" (1940), "Hidden Gold" (1940), "The Great McGinty" (1940), "Golden Gloves" (1940), "The Secret Seven" (1940), "Glamour For Sale" (1940), "The Quarterback" (1940), "Christmas In July" (1940), "Hold Back The Dawn" (1941), "Sullivan's Travels" (1941), "South Of Santa Fe" (1942), "Reap The Wild Wind" (1942), "This Gun For Hire" (1942), "The Palm Beach Story" (1942), "The Major And The Minor" (1942), "Idaho" (1943), 'Dixie" (1943), "The Underdog" (1943), "The Chance Of A Lifetime" (1943), "Henry Aldrich Haunts A House" (1943), "Destination Tokyo" (1943), "Henry Aldrich Plays Cupid" (1944), "Once Upon A Time" (1944), "Hail The Conquering Hero" (1944), "The Great Moment" (1944), "Wilson" (1944), "The Missing Juror" (1944), "Murder, My Sweet" (1944), "Those Endearing Young Charms" (1945), "The Unseen" (1945), "Nob Hill" (1945), "Shady Lady" (1945), "Mildred Pierce" (1945), "Road To Utopia" (1945), "Masquerade In Mexico" (1945), "Because Of Him" (1946), "The Bride Wore Boots" (1946), "The Killers" (1946), "California" (1947), "My Brother Talks To Horses" (1947), "Blaze Of Noon" (1947), "Desperate" (1947), "The Perils Of Pauline" (1947), "Song Of The Thin Man" (1947), "Unconquered" (1947), "My Wild Irish Rose" (1947), "King of The Gamblers" (1948), and his last role playing 'Allen Pierce' in the romance mystery film drama, "The Argyle Secrets" (1948), which was directed and written by Cy Endfield, and which also starred William Gargan, Marjorie Lord, and Ralph Byrd. He passed away from cancer at the Motion Picture Country Home in Los Angeles, California, (some sources say London, England, but this information is incorrect), on August 26, 1948, at the age of 62. His funeral service was held through Pierce Bros. Hollywood Chapel and he was cremated and inurned at the Chapel of the Pines in Los Angeles, California. He was married to the actress and singer Fritzi Scheff (1879-1954), in New Rochelle, New York, on December 24, 1913. The couple later divorced. He was also married to Eleanor Anderson. He had no children.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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