Actor. He made his stage debut at the age of 18 in one of his father's productions, but he really wanted to be an artist. Educated at Kings College, Wimbledon, and New York's Art Student League, he worked at the New York Evening Journal doing sketches. By 1905, he had given up being an artist and toured the country doing plays. He became a major Broadway star in "The Fortune Hunter" in 1909. His debut on the screen came in 1914 in "An American Citizen" and his good looks and remarkable talent made him a star. He often disguised his good looks under hideous make-up to make memorable characters of horror. In the early days of talking films, he became a romantic leading man, but heavy drinking took its toll, and he sadly degenerated into an old man before his time. His final few films were not his best; however, he could rouse himself to a moving soliloquy from Hamlet. John died in 1942 and was mourned, not just for the loss of his life, but for the loss of his grace, wit, and brilliance which he brought to the silver screen.
Actor. He made his stage debut at the age of 18 in one of his father's productions, but he really wanted to be an artist. Educated at Kings College, Wimbledon, and New York's Art Student League, he worked at the New York Evening Journal doing sketches. By 1905, he had given up being an artist and toured the country doing plays. He became a major Broadway star in "The Fortune Hunter" in 1909. His debut on the screen came in 1914 in "An American Citizen" and his good looks and remarkable talent made him a star. He often disguised his good looks under hideous make-up to make memorable characters of horror. In the early days of talking films, he became a romantic leading man, but heavy drinking took its toll, and he sadly degenerated into an old man before his time. His final few films were not his best; however, he could rouse himself to a moving soliloquy from Hamlet. John died in 1942 and was mourned, not just for the loss of his life, but for the loss of his grace, wit, and brilliance which he brought to the silver screen.
Bio by: Marta Monk
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