Actor. He was a silent screen cowboy star whose career spanned most of the 1920s. The third of four sons of a Presbyterian minister, he attended the Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey from 1910 until 1913, where he excelled in athletics, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister following his completion. After the US entered World War I in April 1917, he joined the US Army, serving in the 143rd Field Artillery Regiment as a chaplain, and was sent to France in August 1918 but did not see combat before the war ended three months later. He married actress Mary Pickford's screenwriter, Francis Marion (his 2nd wife), who he had previously met during a hospital visit where he was a patient, and made his acting debut in Marion's film "Just Around the Corner" (1921), followed by "Love Light" (1921). In 1923 he starred in Universal's "The Eagle's Talons" and was signed by Film Booking Offices (FBO) of America. By 1926 he had become the No. 2 Western box office star, rivaling cowboy film star Tom Mix in popularity. During his short career, he appeared in 30 films, the last ones being "Jesse James" (1927), "The Pioneer Scout" (1928), "The Sunset Legion" (1928,) and "Kit Carson" (1928). He died from tetanus at the age of 38 after stepping on a nail in his stables at his home. Of his films, only three survive, "Just Around the Corner," "Love Light," and "Thundering Hooves" (1924).
Actor. He was a silent screen cowboy star whose career spanned most of the 1920s. The third of four sons of a Presbyterian minister, he attended the Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey from 1910 until 1913, where he excelled in athletics, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister following his completion. After the US entered World War I in April 1917, he joined the US Army, serving in the 143rd Field Artillery Regiment as a chaplain, and was sent to France in August 1918 but did not see combat before the war ended three months later. He married actress Mary Pickford's screenwriter, Francis Marion (his 2nd wife), who he had previously met during a hospital visit where he was a patient, and made his acting debut in Marion's film "Just Around the Corner" (1921), followed by "Love Light" (1921). In 1923 he starred in Universal's "The Eagle's Talons" and was signed by Film Booking Offices (FBO) of America. By 1926 he had become the No. 2 Western box office star, rivaling cowboy film star Tom Mix in popularity. During his short career, he appeared in 30 films, the last ones being "Jesse James" (1927), "The Pioneer Scout" (1928), "The Sunset Legion" (1928,) and "Kit Carson" (1928). He died from tetanus at the age of 38 after stepping on a nail in his stables at his home. Of his films, only three survive, "Just Around the Corner," "Love Light," and "Thundering Hooves" (1924).
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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