Actor. He received recognition as an American silent film actor. Born Gunther Von Strensch, he changed his name to Richard L'Estrange. He was credited with the name "Dick L'Estrange" on most of his films and that is the name on his grave marker, yet his marriage certificate and other documents have his birth name. At times, "von" is not included as part of his birth name. His first and top supporting role was "Grouchy" in the 1914 film "The Squaw Man," which he is also credited with work behind the camera. "The Squaw Man" was the first Western movie to be filmed entirely in Hollywood. He is credited with 26 silent movies and one short with the last major role in "The Arizona Cyclone" in 1928. After the stock market crash of 1929 and soon after the introduction of "talkie" movies, he went behind the camera as production manager and assistant director. With Richard C. Kahn, one of the pioneers of Africa American cinema, as his partner, he founded Elkay Productions and went on produce "Buzzy rides the Range" in 1940 and "Phantom Pinto" in 1941, starring boy actor Robert "Buzz" Henry. His daughter Jill appeared in his production of the 1938 film "Topa Topa," which was re-released in 1940 as "Killers of the Wild." L'Estrange directed the 1943 exploitation melodrama "Teen Age" under his birth name of Gunther von Strench and functioned as production supervisor of the 1954 television series "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger." He was a college graduate and before entering the career of films, he was a bank clerk. He married Agnes H. Warnole on January 22, 1930, and the couple had two daughters, Gretchen and Jill Victoria. Documents prior to 1940 show that his birthplace was Germany, immigrated as an infant, and that he became a naturalized citizen.
Actor. He received recognition as an American silent film actor. Born Gunther Von Strensch, he changed his name to Richard L'Estrange. He was credited with the name "Dick L'Estrange" on most of his films and that is the name on his grave marker, yet his marriage certificate and other documents have his birth name. At times, "von" is not included as part of his birth name. His first and top supporting role was "Grouchy" in the 1914 film "The Squaw Man," which he is also credited with work behind the camera. "The Squaw Man" was the first Western movie to be filmed entirely in Hollywood. He is credited with 26 silent movies and one short with the last major role in "The Arizona Cyclone" in 1928. After the stock market crash of 1929 and soon after the introduction of "talkie" movies, he went behind the camera as production manager and assistant director. With Richard C. Kahn, one of the pioneers of Africa American cinema, as his partner, he founded Elkay Productions and went on produce "Buzzy rides the Range" in 1940 and "Phantom Pinto" in 1941, starring boy actor Robert "Buzz" Henry. His daughter Jill appeared in his production of the 1938 film "Topa Topa," which was re-released in 1940 as "Killers of the Wild." L'Estrange directed the 1943 exploitation melodrama "Teen Age" under his birth name of Gunther von Strench and functioned as production supervisor of the 1954 television series "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger." He was a college graduate and before entering the career of films, he was a bank clerk. He married Agnes H. Warnole on January 22, 1930, and the couple had two daughters, Gretchen and Jill Victoria. Documents prior to 1940 show that his birthplace was Germany, immigrated as an infant, and that he became a naturalized citizen.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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