Actor. Born in Newburgh, New York, he started his acting career in the 1920s. At the age of 49, he proceeded west to Hollywood, launching his motion picture career. During the next eleven years, he became a prolific Western movie actor and pioneer during the heyday of silent movies, earning the nickname "Two-Gun Bill", and becoming the original silent screen cowboy, playing characters with honor and integrity. He made over 70 movies and directed 49 more while writing seven others. His reluctance to enter the new era of the "talkies" ended his career. He was replaced by actors such as Hoot Gibson and Gene Autry. He spent the last years on his ranch in Newhall, California, and died peacefully with his family at his bedside. After a brief service at his residence, his body was transported by train and he was laid to rest in the family plot in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. He left his ranch (Horseshoe) to the county of Los Angeles which operates it today as part of the county park system and known as the William S. Hart Park.
Actor. Born in Newburgh, New York, he started his acting career in the 1920s. At the age of 49, he proceeded west to Hollywood, launching his motion picture career. During the next eleven years, he became a prolific Western movie actor and pioneer during the heyday of silent movies, earning the nickname "Two-Gun Bill", and becoming the original silent screen cowboy, playing characters with honor and integrity. He made over 70 movies and directed 49 more while writing seven others. His reluctance to enter the new era of the "talkies" ended his career. He was replaced by actors such as Hoot Gibson and Gene Autry. He spent the last years on his ranch in Newhall, California, and died peacefully with his family at his bedside. After a brief service at his residence, his body was transported by train and he was laid to rest in the family plot in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. He left his ranch (Horseshoe) to the county of Los Angeles which operates it today as part of the county park system and known as the William S. Hart Park.
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