Actor. Versatile character player of stage and silent films. Born in Manhattan, he was a reporter for the New York Sun before he caught the acting bug and ran off to join a Kansas City-based theatre troupe in 1884. He first appeared on Broadway in the musical comedy "The Belle of New York" (1900) and made his screen debut with "A Good Little Devil" (1914), repeating his stage role. In 1918 he settled in Hollywood, ending his days at MGM. Connelly was highly respected in the movie colony and allowed to demonstrate his skills in a variety of parts, ranging from villains (Rasputin in "The Fall of the Romanoffs", 1917) and comic country bumpkins to elder European noblemen. He was a favorite of director Rex Ingram, who cast him in nine films, notably "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (1921), "The Prisoner of Zenda" (1922), and "Scaramouche" (1923), and he did fine work for such tough taskmasters as Erich von Stroheim, Ernst Lubitsch, and Tod Browning. His other films include "Camille" (1921), "The Merry Widow" (1925), "The Unholy Three" (1925), "Torrent" (1926), "The Show" (1927), "The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg" (1927), and "The Mysterious Lady" (1928). His last film, "The Desert Rider", was released after his death. The Tower Clock at Hollywood Forever Cemetery was erected in Connelly's memory by his widow, and dedicated in 1930. His crypt is nearby.
Actor. Versatile character player of stage and silent films. Born in Manhattan, he was a reporter for the New York Sun before he caught the acting bug and ran off to join a Kansas City-based theatre troupe in 1884. He first appeared on Broadway in the musical comedy "The Belle of New York" (1900) and made his screen debut with "A Good Little Devil" (1914), repeating his stage role. In 1918 he settled in Hollywood, ending his days at MGM. Connelly was highly respected in the movie colony and allowed to demonstrate his skills in a variety of parts, ranging from villains (Rasputin in "The Fall of the Romanoffs", 1917) and comic country bumpkins to elder European noblemen. He was a favorite of director Rex Ingram, who cast him in nine films, notably "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (1921), "The Prisoner of Zenda" (1922), and "Scaramouche" (1923), and he did fine work for such tough taskmasters as Erich von Stroheim, Ernst Lubitsch, and Tod Browning. His other films include "Camille" (1921), "The Merry Widow" (1925), "The Unholy Three" (1925), "Torrent" (1926), "The Show" (1927), "The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg" (1927), and "The Mysterious Lady" (1928). His last film, "The Desert Rider", was released after his death. The Tower Clock at Hollywood Forever Cemetery was erected in Connelly's memory by his widow, and dedicated in 1930. His crypt is nearby.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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