Charles Avery (May 28, 1873 – July 23, 1926) was an American

silent-film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, wh ...

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

, and

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

. One of the original seven

Keystone Kops The Keystone Cops (often spelled "Keystone Kops") are fictional, humorously incompetent policemen featured in silent film slapstick comedies produced by Mack Sennett for his Keystone Film Company between 1912 and 1917. History The idea for the ...

,Lahue, Kalton (1971); ''Mack Sennett's Keystone: The man, the myth and the comedies''; New York: Barnes; . p. 194. Avery directed

Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle Roscoe Conkling "Fatty" Arbuckle (; March 24, 1887 – June 29, 1933) was an American silent film actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. He started at the Selig Polyscope Company and eventually moved to Keystone Studios, where he worked w ...

in thirty-one comedies while at

Keystone Studios Keystone Studios was an early film studio founded in Edendale, California (which is now a part of Echo Park) on July 4, 1912 as the Keystone Pictures Studio by Mack Sennett with backing from actor-writer Adam Kessel (1866–1946) and Charle ...

Early life and education

He was born Charles Avery Bradford in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

. His sister Charlotte was also an actress, as was his mother Marie Stanley. His father was a playwright.

Career

He started acting in the

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...

, playing the title role in ''

Charley's Aunt ''Charley's Aunt'' is a farce in three acts written by Brandon Thomas. The story centres on Lord Fancourt Babberley, an undergraduate whose friends Jack and Charley persuade him to impersonate the latter's aunt. The complications of the plot inc ...

'', and the part of Pegleg Hopkins in the adaptation of ''

David Harum ''David Harum; A Story of American Life'' is a best-selling novel of 1898 by Edward Noyes Westcott, whose principal legacy is the colloquial use of the term ''horse trading''. Literary significance and criticism Written by retired Syracuse, N ...

'' which had

William H. Crane William Henry Crane (April 30, 1845March 7, 1928) was an American actor. Early years Crane was born in Leicester, Massachusetts on April 30, 1845. He grew up in Boston and graduated from Brimmer School. Career He made his first professional ap ...

in the lead role. Avery appeared in a touring production of ''

The Clansman ''The Clansman: A Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan'' is a novel published in 1905, the second work in the Ku Klux Klan trilogy by Thomas Dixon Jr. (the others are ''The Leopard's Spots'' and '' The Traitor''). Chronicling the American Civi ...

'' as Governor Shrimp, before entering films with the

Biograph Company The Biograph Company, also known as the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, was a motion picture company founded in 1895 and active until 1916. It was the first company in the United States devoted entirely to film production and exhibition ...

in 1908. From 1908 to 1909, Avery featured in 33

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

s under the direction of D. W. Griffith, usually only in supporting roles and often alongside

Mack Sennett Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-American film actor, director, and producer, and studio head, known as the 'King of Comedy'. Born in Danville, Quebec, in 1880, he started in films in the ...

. In 1913, he tried his hand at directing, starting with ''Across the Alley'' at

. Avery went on to direct Syd Chaplin in the ''Gussle'' series and

Charles Murray Charles Murray may refer to: Politicians *Charles Murray, 1st Earl of Dunmore (1661–1710), British peer *Charles Murray (author and diplomat) (1806–1895), British author and diplomat *Charles Murray, 7th Earl of Dunmore (1841–1907), Scotti ...

in the ''Hogan'' series. He also continued to act, notably in the first three

films. Leaving directorial duties in the 1920s, Avery later played supporting roles in low-budget Westerns such as ''The Rambling Ranger'' and ''Western Rover''.

Death

On July 23, 1926, Avery was found dead in his

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

home. His cause of death was acute dilation of the heart caused by chronic myocarditis.

Filmography

* ''

Father Gets in the Game ''Father Gets in the Game'' is a 1908 American silent short comedy film directed by D. W. Griffith. A print of the film exists. Cast * Mack Sennett as Bill Wilkins * Harry Solter as Wilkins' Son * George Gebhardt as Professor Dyem / First Co ...

'' (1908) * ''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken ...

'' (1908) * ''

The Valet's Wife ''The Valet's Wife'' is a 1908 American silent short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. A print of the film exists in the film archive of George Eastman House. Cast * Mack Sennett as Reggie Van Twiller * Charles Avery as Mr. Tubbs * Geor ...

'' (1908) * '' The Helping Hand'' (1908) * ''

Love Finds a Way ''Love Finds a Way'' is a 1909 American silent short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Anita Hendrie as The Duchess * Arthur V. Johnson as The Duke * Marion Leonard as Their Daughter * Harry Solter as One of the Daughter's Suitor ...

'' (1909) * ''

A Wreath in Time ''A Wreath in Time'' is a 1909 American silent comedy film written and directed by D. W. Griffith, produced by the Biograph Company of New York City, and co-starring Mack Sennett and Florence Lawrence.Niver, Kemp R. ''Early Motion Pictures: The ...

'' (1909) * ''

Tragic Love ''Tragic Love'' is a 1909 American silent short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Arthur V. Johnson as Bob Spaulding * David Miles as Mr. Rankin * Linda Arvidson as Mrs. Rankin * Charles Avery as In Factory * Clara T. Bracy * ...

'' (1909) * ''

The Salvation Army Lass ''The Salvation Army Lass'' is a 1909 American silent short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Florence Lawrence as Mary Wilson * Harry Solter as Bob Walton * Charles Inslee Charles E. Inslee (1870 – September 1922) was ...

'' (1909) * ''Jones and His New Neighbors'' (1909) * ''

A Drunkard's Reformation ''A Drunkard's Reformation'' is a 1909 American drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of the film survive in the film archive of the Library of Congress. The American Mutoscope and Biograph Company advertised the feature as "The most p ...

'' (1909) * ''Confidence'' (1909) * ''Twin Brothers'' (1909) * ''Tis an Ill Wind That Blows No Good'' (1909) * ''The Suicide Club'' (1909) * ''One Busy Hour'' (1909) * ''The French Duel'' (1909) * ''The Jilt'' (1909) * ''

Resurrection Resurrection or anastasis is the concept of coming back to life after death. In a number of religions, a dying-and-rising god is a deity which dies and is resurrected. Reincarnation is a similar process hypothesized by other religions, which ...

'' (1909) * ''

Two Memories ''Two Memories'' is a 1909 American silent short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. The film marks the onscreen debut of Mary Pickford. Cast * Marion Leonard as Marion Francis * David Miles as Henry Lawrence * Mary Pickford as Marion's S ...

'' (1909) * ''Eradicating Aunty'' (1909) * ''What Drink Did'' (1909) * ''The Violin Maker of Cremona'' (1909) * ''

The Lonely Villa ''The Lonely Villa'' is a 1909 American short silent crime drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. The film stars David Miles, Marion Leonard and Mary Pickford in one of her first film roles. It is based on the 1901 French play ''Au Téléphone ...

'' (1909) * ''The Son's Return'' (1909) * ''Her First Biscuits'' (1909) * ''Was Justice Served?'' (1909) * ''The Peachbasket Hat'' (1909) * ''The Necklace'' (1909) * ''The Cardinal's Conspiracy'' (1909) * ''A Strange Meeting'' (1909) * ''With Her Card'' (1909) * ''The Seventh Day'' (1909) * ''The Little Darling'' (1909) * ''Dooley's Thanksgiving Turkey'' (1909) * ''A Romance of the Prairie'' (1910) * ''Dooley's Holiday'' (1910) * ''Dooley Referees the Big Fight'' (1910) * ''The Man from Texas'' (1910) * ''Perils of the Plains'' (1910) * ''A Ranchman's Simple Son'' (1910) * ''The Brave Hunter'' (1912) * ''

Home Folks ''Home Folks'' is a 1912 Black and white film, black and white Silent film, silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Mary Pickford and Mae Marsh. Cast References External links

* American silent short films American ...

'' (1912) * ''The Would Be Shriner'' (1912) * ''Tragedy of the Dress Suit'' (1912) * ''Hoffmeyer's Legacy'' (1912) * ''A Day's Outing'' (1912) * ''A Deaf Burglar'' (1913) * ''The Rural Third Degree'' (1913) * ''

Safe in Jail ''Safe in Jail'' is a 1913 American short comedy film featuring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle * Charles Avery * Edgar Kennedy * Hank Mann * Charles Murray * Ford Sterling See also * List of American films of 1913 * Fatty A ...

'' (1913) * ''The Sleuth's Last Stand'' (1913) * ''Their First Execution'' (1913) * ''

Peeping Pete ''Peeping Pete'' is a 1913 American short comedy film featuring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Phyllis Allen * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle as Pete's wife * Charles Avery * Peggy Pearce * Nick Cogley as Sheriff * Dot Farley * Mack Sennett as Pete * Ford ...

'' (1913) * '' The Telltale Light'' (1913) * ''Cohen's Outing'' (1913) * ''The Work Habit'' (1913) * '' Mabel's New Hero'' (1913) * ''

Mabel's Dramatic Career ''Mabel's Dramatic Career'' is a 1913 American short comedy film starring Mabel Normand and Mack Sennett while featuring Roscoe Arbuckle in a cameo. The film features a film within a film and uses multiple exposure to show a film being projecte ...

'' (1913) * ''

A Quiet Little Wedding ''A Quiet Little Wedding'' is a 1913 American short comedy film featuring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle * Charles Avery * Alice Davenport * Minta Durfee * Billy Gilbert * Edgar Kennedy * Al St. John See also * List of Ameri ...

'' (1913) * ''A Muddy Romance'' (1913) * '' A Ride for a Bride'' (1913) * ''The Mystery of the Milk ''(1914) * ''

In the Clutches of the Gang ''In the Clutches of the Gang'' (also known as ''In the Clutches of a Gang'') is a 1914 American short comedy film featuring Roscoe Arbuckle. The majority of the film is believed to be lost. However, a fragment of the film exists and is held by ...

'' (1914) * ''

Twixt Love and Fire ''Twixt Love and Fire'' is a 1914 short comedy film featuring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle * Peggy Pearce * Cecile Arnold * Charles Avery * Harold Lloyd See also * List of American films of 1914 * Fatty Arbuckle filmograph ...

'' (1914) * '' The Sea Nymphs'' (1914) * '' The Fighting Ranger'' (1925) * ''

The Blackbird ''The Blackbird'' is a 1926 American silent crime film directed by Tod Browning and starring Lon Chaney. The screenplay was written by Waldemar Young, based on a story "The Mockingbird" by Tod Browning (which was originally supposed to be the ...

'' (1926) * '' The Rambling Ranger'' (1927) * ''

The Western Rover ''The Western Rover'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Albert S. Rogell and written by George Hively. The film stars Art Acord, Ena Gregory, Charles Avery, William Welsh and Albert J. Smith. The film was released on June 5 ...

'' (1927)

Director

* ''Across the Alley'' (1913) * ''Across the Hall'' (1914) * ''The Knockout'' (1914) * ''Love and Salt Water'' (1914) * ''The Great Toe Mystery'' (1914) * ''Her Last Chance'' (1914) * ''Hogan's Annual Spree'' (1914) * ''His Second Childhood'' (1914) * ''Gussle's Wayward Path'' (1915) * ''Hogan's Wild Oats'' (1915) * ''

Rum and Wall Paper ''Rum and Wall Paper'' is a 1915 American short comedy film starring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle * Chester Conklin * Alice Davenport * Charles Murray * Mabel Normand * Frank Hayes See also * Fatty Arbuckle filmography _ ...

'' (1915) * ''Hogan's Mussy Job'' (1915) * ''Hogan, the Porter'' (1915) * ''

Hogan's Romance Upset ''Hogan's Romance Upset'' is a 1915 American short comedy film directed by Charles Avery and featuring both Fatty Arbuckle and Harold Lloyd in uncredited roles as a spectators. Cast * Charles Murray as Hogan * Bobby Dunn as Weary Willie * Loui ...

'' (1915) * ''Hogan's Aristocratic Dream'' (1915) * ''Hogan Out West'' (1915) * ''Gussle's Day of Rest'' (1915) * ''The Beauty Bunglers'' (1915) * ''Gussle's Wayward Way'' (1915) * ''

Their Social Splash ''Their Social Splash'' is a 1915 short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. Cast * Slim Summerville - Harold * Dixie Chene - Gladys * Charles Murray - Hogan * Polly Moran - Polly * Frank Hayes - The Father * Harold Lloyd - The Minister * Har ...

'' (1915) * ''Gussle Tied to Trouble'' (1915) * ''Gussle's Backward Way'' (1915) * ''

A Submarine Pirate ''A Submarine Pirate'' is a 1915 American short comedy film starring Syd Chaplin and featuring an early uncredited appearance by Harold Lloyd. Cast * Syd Chaplin as Ambitious waiter * Wesley Ruggles as The inventor's accomplice * Glen Cavende ...

'' (1915) * ''A Modern Enoch Arden'' (1916) * '' His Lying Heart'' (1916) * ''Her Birthday Knight'' (1917) * ''Her Candy Kid'' (1917) * ''Done in Oil'' (1917) * ''The House of Scandal'' (1917) * ''Her Donkey Love'' (1917) * ''His Unconscious Conscience'' (1917) * ''Caught in the End'' (1917/I) * ''A Kaiser There Was'' (1919) * ''The Riot'' (1921) * ''The Applicant'' (1921)

Stageplays

* ''

'' (1897) * ''

'' (1900) * ''David Harum'' (1902) * ''Miss Elizabeth's Prisoner'' (1903) * ''David Harum'' (1904) * ''

'' (1906)

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Avery, Charles 1873 births 1926 deaths 19th-century American male actors 20th-century American male actors American male silent film actors American male stage actors American male screenwriters Film directors from Illinois Film directors from California Film directors from New York City Male actors from Chicago Male actors from Los Angeles Male actors from New York City Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Screenwriters from New York (state) Screenwriters from Illinois Screenwriters from California 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters