Actor. He was a British actor who appeared in 241 films during the silent film era from 1911 to 1934. After leaving his law practice in the 1890s, he toured with a theater group through England, India, South Africa, and the United States. He served in India for a four-year tour of duty with the British Royal Horse Artillery, and he was a nurse with American forces during the Spanish-American War. He also had a short career as a corn farmer. With a health decline in 1931, he wandered several miles from home in a confused state. With the transition to the "talkie" films, he had no problem, often playing in impressive supportive roles. Suffering with hemophilia, Francis died from a complication three days after abdominal surgery. On December 2, 1923 in England, he married Lucy Bowers Smith. The couple had no children, but his wife had a daughter from a previous marriage. He was known for his films "The Circle" in 1925, "The Terror" in 1928 and "Oliver Twist" in 1933. His most commercially successful film was his 1922 film, "Beyond the Rocks." Besides acting, he had a hand in directing films such as "The Sheriff's Friend" in 1911 and "A Living Memory" in 1912. He appeared in a number of films alongside legendary actor Rudolph Valentino.
Actor. He was a British actor who appeared in 241 films during the silent film era from 1911 to 1934. After leaving his law practice in the 1890s, he toured with a theater group through England, India, South Africa, and the United States. He served in India for a four-year tour of duty with the British Royal Horse Artillery, and he was a nurse with American forces during the Spanish-American War. He also had a short career as a corn farmer. With a health decline in 1931, he wandered several miles from home in a confused state. With the transition to the "talkie" films, he had no problem, often playing in impressive supportive roles. Suffering with hemophilia, Francis died from a complication three days after abdominal surgery. On December 2, 1923 in England, he married Lucy Bowers Smith. The couple had no children, but his wife had a daughter from a previous marriage. He was known for his films "The Circle" in 1925, "The Terror" in 1928 and "Oliver Twist" in 1933. His most commercially successful film was his 1922 film, "Beyond the Rocks." Besides acting, he had a hand in directing films such as "The Sheriff's Friend" in 1911 and "A Living Memory" in 1912. He appeared in a number of films alongside legendary actor Rudolph Valentino.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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