Actor. Born Hugh McGowan in New York City, he was a former undertaker when he was spotted one day sleeping on a park bench by producer J. Stuart Blackton of Vitagraph Pictures. Vitagraph's biggest star at the time was roly-poly comedian John Bunny; Blackton thought another corpulent comic might be popular too, so he offered him a job. He relocated to California and started playing supporting roles in Vitagraph comedies in 1910. For the next eighteen years Mack became a mainstay in the industry not only as a comic actor, but also as a writer. His 170 films include, "The New Stenographer" 1911, "Buttercups" 1913, "Fatty on the Job" 1914, "Hats Is Hats" 1915, "Tubby Turns the Tables" 1916, "The Dentist" 1919, "Fellow Romans" 1921 and "The Silent Flyer" 1926. Mack's last film was "The Wedding March" (1928). He died of heart disease.
Actor. Born Hugh McGowan in New York City, he was a former undertaker when he was spotted one day sleeping on a park bench by producer J. Stuart Blackton of Vitagraph Pictures. Vitagraph's biggest star at the time was roly-poly comedian John Bunny; Blackton thought another corpulent comic might be popular too, so he offered him a job. He relocated to California and started playing supporting roles in Vitagraph comedies in 1910. For the next eighteen years Mack became a mainstay in the industry not only as a comic actor, but also as a writer. His 170 films include, "The New Stenographer" 1911, "Buttercups" 1913, "Fatty on the Job" 1914, "Hats Is Hats" 1915, "Tubby Turns the Tables" 1916, "The Dentist" 1919, "Fellow Romans" 1921 and "The Silent Flyer" 1926. Mack's last film was "The Wedding March" (1928). He died of heart disease.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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