Actor. He was a silent movie actor of the early 1900s. He is featured in the 1914 film "Judith of Bethulia," and played four different roles in D.W. Griffith's 1915 classic "Birth of a Nation." Born into a large close-knit Roman Catholic family, his career faltered after numerous tragedies in his family: A brother was killed in an auto accident in 1915, and a sister died of influenza in 1918. After seeing his last film "Coincidence" with director Victor Heerman, he retired to his hotel room at Hotel Seymour in New York City. Afterward, he suffered a gunshot wound to his chest, was found by Heerman, and was taken by ambulance to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition. Since he claimed his loaded gun misfired when it fell from his suitcase, his death was ruled accidental. A formal review of his autopsy report decades later found the cause of death was suicide. Appearing to be rallying from his wound, he died five days after being admitted to the hospital.
Actor. He was a silent movie actor of the early 1900s. He is featured in the 1914 film "Judith of Bethulia," and played four different roles in D.W. Griffith's 1915 classic "Birth of a Nation." Born into a large close-knit Roman Catholic family, his career faltered after numerous tragedies in his family: A brother was killed in an auto accident in 1915, and a sister died of influenza in 1918. After seeing his last film "Coincidence" with director Victor Heerman, he retired to his hotel room at Hotel Seymour in New York City. Afterward, he suffered a gunshot wound to his chest, was found by Heerman, and was taken by ambulance to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition. Since he claimed his loaded gun misfired when it fell from his suitcase, his death was ruled accidental. A formal review of his autopsy report decades later found the cause of death was suicide. Appearing to be rallying from his wound, he died five days after being admitted to the hospital.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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