Actor, Announcer, and Screenwriter. He was best known for playing the character roles of governors, husbands, and detectives. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Ned Land' in the action-adventure Sci-Fi film, "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" (1916). The film which was directed by and written for the screen by Stuart Paton, which was based on the novel of the same name by Jule Verne, and which also starred Dan Hanlon, Edna Pendleton, Allen Holubar, and Matt Moore, tells the story of a French professor and his daughter who accompany Captain Nemo on an adventure aboard a submarine. He was born one of five children as Horatio Curtis Benton to Charles Henry Benton (1840-1897), and his wife Frances Carolina "Fanny" Mustheisen Benton (1846-1930), in Toledo, Ohio, on August 26, 1880. He was educated locally and at the prestigious Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his acting career on stage appearing with actor Robert Cochran Hilliard (1857-1927), in the production of the play, "A Fool There Was" (1903), and with George M. Cohan (1878-1942), and Sam Henry Harris (1872-1941), for two seasons with their company where he played parts in the productions of the play, "The Fortune Hunter." He also appeared on Broadway in New York City, New York, in the stage production of the play, "The Unknown Purple" (September 14, 1918, to May 1919). While on the stage he worked with the likes of Herbert Ashton, Richard Bennett, Earle Brown, E.L. Duane, Lorraine Frost, Marion Kerby, Arthur Le Vien, Helen MacKellar, Frank McCormack, and Edward Van Sloan. During this time, he also made the transition to appearing in films. He made his actual film debut playing the role of 'Love' in the short film drama, "Everygirl" (1915). The film which also starred Mary Fuller, Charles Ogles, Sydell Dowling, Hal De Forest, Donah Ben Remo, Cleaney Matthews, and Estelle Sprague, tells the story of Truth, the mother of Everygirl, who lives in their comfortable, cozy little cottage near New York. Love calls for Everygirl to take her to Work with him at the office of Work and Pleasure, a strange partnership. Trouble looks upon the attentions of Pleasure for Everygirl, and gloats over Love's discomfort at a situation over which he has no control. Work takes Pleasure to task for his lack of business interest and his attentions to Everygirl, only to be laughed at by Pleasure and told in a polite way to mind his own business. That night Everygirl prepares to go out with Pleasure after having told Love that she will not stand for his dictations. To her mother's surprise, Everygirl goes with Pleasure to a café, where Vice and Temptation have Vanity, Conceit, and Frivolity awaiting for the new prey. Vanity assures her she is too plain. Conceit instills her powers into Everygirl's mind. At first, Everygirl refuses wine, but after all the others laugh at her shyness, Everygirl forgets her promise to Truth and tastes the wine. Vice spots her as a new diversion, and after Vanity and Conceit has arranged her hair. Vice entices Everygirl to a private nook. At first, Everygirl likes him, but when she awakens to the fact that his intentions are not good she shuns him and returns to Pleasure, begging him to take her home. She leaves the café. Early the next morning, Vanity and Conceit call on Everygirl with more fashionable gowns supplied by Pleasure. Truth has trouble awakening Everygirl from her slumbers, though she brightens at the sight of the finery. At the office, Everygirl has trouble refraining from yawning. This troubles Work but pleases old Trouble, who seeks the downfall of Everygirl. Love looks on brokenhearted at his sweetheart leaving him. When Everygirl is called by Pleasure, she brightens at his recalling the night before but shudders at the thought of Vice's suggestions. On her return to her desk work warns her of the danger of her associations with Pleasure, Vice, and Temptation. He tells her such gowns as Vanity and Conceit would have her wear are not for Everygirl and begs her to go home to rest and think it over. On her way she meets Vice and Temptation, but, remembering Work's advice, she refuses their offers and those of Conceit and Vanity. At home with Truth, Everygirl waits for Love, who comes and takes her once more to Work, who welcomes the old Everygirl. After marriage, Everygirl has Happiness, which more than takes the place of Pleasure, Vice, Temptation, Vanity, and Conceit. Trouble comes no more to Everygirl, who lives on with Love, Truth, and Happiness. Besides, playing the role of 'Love' in the short film drama, "Everygirl" (1915), and playing the role of 'Ned Land' in the action-adventure Sci-Fi film, "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" (1916), his many other film credits include, "The Mystery Of The Man Who Slept" (1915), "The Honor Of The Ormsbys" (1915), "The Girl Who Had A Soul" (1915), "A Witch Of Salem Town" (1915), "The Pursuit Eternal" (1915), "Conscience" (1915), "The Wrong Label" (1915), "Not A Lamb Shall Stray" (1915), "Madame Cubist" (1916), "The Strength Of The Weak" (1916), "Scorched Wings" (1916), "The Girl Who Feared Daylight" (1916), "Just Kitty" (1916), "The Devil's Image" (1916), "A Stranger In His Own Home" (1916), and "Jealousy" (1916). His last role was an undetermined one in the short western film, "The Siren" (1917). The film which was directed by Roland West, which was written for the screen by Donald I. Buchanan and Walter Archer Frost, and which also starred Rica Scott, Armand Kaliz, Cesare Gravina, Isabel Rea, Robert Clugston, Clifford Bruce, and Valeska Suratt, tells the story of after being unfaithful to "The Stranger," who committed a murder on her account, Cherry Millard, known as "The Siren," leaves to work in a dance hall in the western town of Nugget. When Burt Hall arrives in town to deliver a will to the heirs of Bruce McClade, he is captivated by Cherry, who learns of Burt's mission. Discovering that the will dictates that Dr. Langdon, a friend of the family, is to receive $25,000, Cherry decides to impersonate Langdon's daughter Rose and thus gain possession of the money. In the meantime, The Stranger, who has been freed from jail, returns, recognizes Cherry as The Siren, and kills her. This frees Burt from her evil spell, and The Stranger, now insane, follows The Siren's spirit into the desert. He initially left acting after his final film and became an announcer of boxing matches at the Hollywood Stadium in Hollywood, California. In addition, he also continued to work on films but as a screenwriter, these include, "The Story The Silk Hats Told" (1915), "Conscience" (1915), "Capital Punishment" (1915), "The Fast Freight" (1922), "Mighty Lak' a Rose" (1923), "Half-A-Dollar Bill" (1924), "The Uninvited Guest" (1924), "It Is The Law" (1924), "Sporting Life" (1925), "The Phantom Bullet" (1926), "The Runaway Express" (1926), "Down The Stretch" (1927), "The Sunset Derby" (1927), "The Life Of Riley" (1927), "Clancy's Kosher Wedding" (1927), "Bachelor's Paradise" (1928), "United States Smith" (1928), "A Dumb Waiter" (1928), "Freedom Of The Press" (1928), "A Jim Jam Janitor" (1928), "Clunked On The Corner" (1929), and "A Close Shave" (1929). He did however, return to appearing in a few films during the 1930s, as some sort of announcer but the roles were uncredited including, "Slide, Speedy, Slide" (1931), "Local Boy Makes Good" (1931), "The Pottsville Palooka" (1931), "Fireman, Save My Child!" (1932), "High Speed" (1932), "The Animal Kingdom" (1932), "Thru Thin And Thicket" or "Who's Zoo In Africa" (1933), "Manhattan Melodrama" (1934), 'Don't Bet On Blondes" (1935), "It Had To Happen" (1936), "Cain And Mabel" (1936), "Three Men On A Horse" (1936), and "Kid Galahad" (1937). He continued to work as an announcer until his death. He passed away following a long illness in Los Angeles, California, on September 14, 1938, at the age of 58. Following his death, his funeral service and cremation were held through Kenneth G. Paschall Mortuary in San Fernando, California, and Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California, and his ashes were buried in a niche at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. He was married twice, first to, Marie Lanza Benton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 21, 1905, and second to, Grace Elizabeth Morrissey Benton (1894-1949), in Manhattan, New York, on May 11, 1915, and they were together until his death on September 14, 1938, at the age of 58. They had one child together, a daughter named Ruth Elizabeth Benton (1916-1989). His wife Grace passed away in Hollywood, California, on October 12, 1949, at the age of 55, and her ashes are buried in a niche with her husband's at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California.
Actor, Announcer, and Screenwriter. He was best known for playing the character roles of governors, husbands, and detectives. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Ned Land' in the action-adventure Sci-Fi film, "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" (1916). The film which was directed by and written for the screen by Stuart Paton, which was based on the novel of the same name by Jule Verne, and which also starred Dan Hanlon, Edna Pendleton, Allen Holubar, and Matt Moore, tells the story of a French professor and his daughter who accompany Captain Nemo on an adventure aboard a submarine. He was born one of five children as Horatio Curtis Benton to Charles Henry Benton (1840-1897), and his wife Frances Carolina "Fanny" Mustheisen Benton (1846-1930), in Toledo, Ohio, on August 26, 1880. He was educated locally and at the prestigious Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his acting career on stage appearing with actor Robert Cochran Hilliard (1857-1927), in the production of the play, "A Fool There Was" (1903), and with George M. Cohan (1878-1942), and Sam Henry Harris (1872-1941), for two seasons with their company where he played parts in the productions of the play, "The Fortune Hunter." He also appeared on Broadway in New York City, New York, in the stage production of the play, "The Unknown Purple" (September 14, 1918, to May 1919). While on the stage he worked with the likes of Herbert Ashton, Richard Bennett, Earle Brown, E.L. Duane, Lorraine Frost, Marion Kerby, Arthur Le Vien, Helen MacKellar, Frank McCormack, and Edward Van Sloan. During this time, he also made the transition to appearing in films. He made his actual film debut playing the role of 'Love' in the short film drama, "Everygirl" (1915). The film which also starred Mary Fuller, Charles Ogles, Sydell Dowling, Hal De Forest, Donah Ben Remo, Cleaney Matthews, and Estelle Sprague, tells the story of Truth, the mother of Everygirl, who lives in their comfortable, cozy little cottage near New York. Love calls for Everygirl to take her to Work with him at the office of Work and Pleasure, a strange partnership. Trouble looks upon the attentions of Pleasure for Everygirl, and gloats over Love's discomfort at a situation over which he has no control. Work takes Pleasure to task for his lack of business interest and his attentions to Everygirl, only to be laughed at by Pleasure and told in a polite way to mind his own business. That night Everygirl prepares to go out with Pleasure after having told Love that she will not stand for his dictations. To her mother's surprise, Everygirl goes with Pleasure to a café, where Vice and Temptation have Vanity, Conceit, and Frivolity awaiting for the new prey. Vanity assures her she is too plain. Conceit instills her powers into Everygirl's mind. At first, Everygirl refuses wine, but after all the others laugh at her shyness, Everygirl forgets her promise to Truth and tastes the wine. Vice spots her as a new diversion, and after Vanity and Conceit has arranged her hair. Vice entices Everygirl to a private nook. At first, Everygirl likes him, but when she awakens to the fact that his intentions are not good she shuns him and returns to Pleasure, begging him to take her home. She leaves the café. Early the next morning, Vanity and Conceit call on Everygirl with more fashionable gowns supplied by Pleasure. Truth has trouble awakening Everygirl from her slumbers, though she brightens at the sight of the finery. At the office, Everygirl has trouble refraining from yawning. This troubles Work but pleases old Trouble, who seeks the downfall of Everygirl. Love looks on brokenhearted at his sweetheart leaving him. When Everygirl is called by Pleasure, she brightens at his recalling the night before but shudders at the thought of Vice's suggestions. On her return to her desk work warns her of the danger of her associations with Pleasure, Vice, and Temptation. He tells her such gowns as Vanity and Conceit would have her wear are not for Everygirl and begs her to go home to rest and think it over. On her way she meets Vice and Temptation, but, remembering Work's advice, she refuses their offers and those of Conceit and Vanity. At home with Truth, Everygirl waits for Love, who comes and takes her once more to Work, who welcomes the old Everygirl. After marriage, Everygirl has Happiness, which more than takes the place of Pleasure, Vice, Temptation, Vanity, and Conceit. Trouble comes no more to Everygirl, who lives on with Love, Truth, and Happiness. Besides, playing the role of 'Love' in the short film drama, "Everygirl" (1915), and playing the role of 'Ned Land' in the action-adventure Sci-Fi film, "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" (1916), his many other film credits include, "The Mystery Of The Man Who Slept" (1915), "The Honor Of The Ormsbys" (1915), "The Girl Who Had A Soul" (1915), "A Witch Of Salem Town" (1915), "The Pursuit Eternal" (1915), "Conscience" (1915), "The Wrong Label" (1915), "Not A Lamb Shall Stray" (1915), "Madame Cubist" (1916), "The Strength Of The Weak" (1916), "Scorched Wings" (1916), "The Girl Who Feared Daylight" (1916), "Just Kitty" (1916), "The Devil's Image" (1916), "A Stranger In His Own Home" (1916), and "Jealousy" (1916). His last role was an undetermined one in the short western film, "The Siren" (1917). The film which was directed by Roland West, which was written for the screen by Donald I. Buchanan and Walter Archer Frost, and which also starred Rica Scott, Armand Kaliz, Cesare Gravina, Isabel Rea, Robert Clugston, Clifford Bruce, and Valeska Suratt, tells the story of after being unfaithful to "The Stranger," who committed a murder on her account, Cherry Millard, known as "The Siren," leaves to work in a dance hall in the western town of Nugget. When Burt Hall arrives in town to deliver a will to the heirs of Bruce McClade, he is captivated by Cherry, who learns of Burt's mission. Discovering that the will dictates that Dr. Langdon, a friend of the family, is to receive $25,000, Cherry decides to impersonate Langdon's daughter Rose and thus gain possession of the money. In the meantime, The Stranger, who has been freed from jail, returns, recognizes Cherry as The Siren, and kills her. This frees Burt from her evil spell, and The Stranger, now insane, follows The Siren's spirit into the desert. He initially left acting after his final film and became an announcer of boxing matches at the Hollywood Stadium in Hollywood, California. In addition, he also continued to work on films but as a screenwriter, these include, "The Story The Silk Hats Told" (1915), "Conscience" (1915), "Capital Punishment" (1915), "The Fast Freight" (1922), "Mighty Lak' a Rose" (1923), "Half-A-Dollar Bill" (1924), "The Uninvited Guest" (1924), "It Is The Law" (1924), "Sporting Life" (1925), "The Phantom Bullet" (1926), "The Runaway Express" (1926), "Down The Stretch" (1927), "The Sunset Derby" (1927), "The Life Of Riley" (1927), "Clancy's Kosher Wedding" (1927), "Bachelor's Paradise" (1928), "United States Smith" (1928), "A Dumb Waiter" (1928), "Freedom Of The Press" (1928), "A Jim Jam Janitor" (1928), "Clunked On The Corner" (1929), and "A Close Shave" (1929). He did however, return to appearing in a few films during the 1930s, as some sort of announcer but the roles were uncredited including, "Slide, Speedy, Slide" (1931), "Local Boy Makes Good" (1931), "The Pottsville Palooka" (1931), "Fireman, Save My Child!" (1932), "High Speed" (1932), "The Animal Kingdom" (1932), "Thru Thin And Thicket" or "Who's Zoo In Africa" (1933), "Manhattan Melodrama" (1934), 'Don't Bet On Blondes" (1935), "It Had To Happen" (1936), "Cain And Mabel" (1936), "Three Men On A Horse" (1936), and "Kid Galahad" (1937). He continued to work as an announcer until his death. He passed away following a long illness in Los Angeles, California, on September 14, 1938, at the age of 58. Following his death, his funeral service and cremation were held through Kenneth G. Paschall Mortuary in San Fernando, California, and Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California, and his ashes were buried in a niche at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. He was married twice, first to, Marie Lanza Benton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 21, 1905, and second to, Grace Elizabeth Morrissey Benton (1894-1949), in Manhattan, New York, on May 11, 1915, and they were together until his death on September 14, 1938, at the age of 58. They had one child together, a daughter named Ruth Elizabeth Benton (1916-1989). His wife Grace passed away in Hollywood, California, on October 12, 1949, at the age of 55, and her ashes are buried in a niche with her husband's at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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