Claude Benton Gillingwater (August 2, 1870 – November 1, 1939) was an American stage and screen actor. He first appeared on the stage then in more than 90 films between 1918 and 1939, including the

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

-nominated ''

A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in the ...

'' (1935) and ''

Conquest Conquest is the act of military subjugation of an enemy by force of arms. Military history provides many examples of conquest: the Roman conquest of Britain, the Mauryan conquest of Afghanistan and of vast areas of the Indian subcontinent, t ...

'' (1937). He appeared in several films starring

Shirley Temple Shirley Temple Black (born Shirley Jane Temple;While Temple occasionally used "Jane" as a middle name, her birth certificate reads "Shirley Temple". Her birth certificate was altered to prolong her babyhood shortly after she signed with Fox in ...

, beginning with '' Poor Little Rich Girl'' (1936).

Early life

Gillingwater was born in

Louisiana, Missouri Louisiana is a city in Pike County, Missouri, Pike County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,364 at the 2010 census. Louisiana is located in northeast Missouri, on the Mississippi River, south of Hannibal, Missouri, Hannibal. Louisiana ...

. Though he studied law, he preferred not to follow in his father's footsteps and become a lawyer. He became a travelling salesman for a wholesale firm, selling vinegar. While thus engaged, he joined a small theatrical company managed by

David Belasco David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director, and playwright. He was the first writer to adapt the short story ''Madame Butterfly'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of m ...

. Eight years later,

Mary Pickford Gladys Marie Smith (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979), known professionally as Mary Pickford, was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress and producer with a career that spanned five decades. A pioneer in the US film industry, she co-founde ...

saw him act and secured him for her picture, ''

Little Lord Fauntleroy ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published as a serial in ''St. Nicholas Magazine'' from November 1885 to October 1886, then as a book by Scribner's (the publisher of ''St. Nicholas'') in 1886. The ill ...

'' (1921), which launched his film career.

Hollywood career

In later years, Gillingwater generally played curmudgeonly character roles. His best-known role is probably

Jarvis Lorry Jarvis Lorry is a character in Charles Dickens' 1859 novel, ''A Tale of Two Cities''. Overview Jarvis Lorry is one of the oldest employees of Tellson's Bank, and he frequently deals with the bank's offices in London and Paris. He is a confirmed ...

in David O'Selznick's production of ''

'' (1935). He also appeared in ''Mississippi'' (1935), ''

The Prisoner of Shark Island ''The Prisoner of Shark Island'' is a 1936 American drama film loosely based on the life of Maryland physician Samuel Mudd, who treated the injured presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth and later spent time in prison after his controversial c ...

'' (1936) and ''

A Yank at Oxford ''A Yank at Oxford'' is a 1938 comedy-drama film directed by Jack Conway and starring Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Vivien Leigh and Edmund Gwenn. The screenplay was written by John Monk Saunders and Leon Gordon. The ...

'' (1938). He proved to be an excellent crabapple foil for 20th Century Fox moppet star

in '' Poor Little Rich Girl'' (1936) and subsequently appeared in '' Just Around the Corner'' (1938) and ''

Little Miss Broadway ''Little Miss Broadway'' is a 1938 American musical drama film directed by Irving Cummings. The screenplay was written by Harry Tugend and Jack Yellen. The film stars Shirley Temple in a story about a theatrical boarding house and its occupants ...

'' (1938). Claude Gillingwater 2

Later years and death

In February, 1936, while filming ''Florida Special'' (1936) at

Paramount Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to: Entertainment and music companies * Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS. The following busin ...

studios, he fell from a platform, resulting in a severe back injury from which he never fully recovered. His general health began to decline and his career was threatened. This, along with the death of his wife Carlyn in April 1937, left him extremely depressed. On November 1, 1939, a housekeeper found Gillingwater dead, sitting in a chair inside a closet of his

Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. B ...

home from a self-inflicted bullet wound to the chest. A suicide note stated he was worried about his failing health and the possibility of becoming an invalid. He did not want to become a burden to anyone, so he chose to take his own life. The death of the 69-year-old actor was officially ruled a suicide. His cremated remains were interred at the Columbarium of Prayer, Niche 10628, in The Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California. His son, Claude Gillingwater, Jr., was also an actor.

Partial filmography

*''Wild Primrose'' (1918) - Standish *''

'' (1921) - Earl of Dorincourt *''

My Boy "My Boy" is a popular song from the early 1970s. The music was composed by Jean-Pierre Bourtayre and Claude François, and the lyrics were translated from the original version "Parce que je t'aime, mon enfant" (Because I Love You My Child) into E ...

'' (1921) - The Captain *''

Fools First ''Fools First'' is a 1922 American crime film directed by Marshall Neilan and written by Marion Fairfax and Hugh Wiley. The film stars Richard Dix, Claire Windsor, Claude Gillingwater, Raymond Griffith, George Siegmann, and Helen Lynch. The fil ...

'' (1922) - Denton Drew *''Dust Flower'' (1922) - Steptoe *'' Remembrance'' (1922) - John P. Grout * ''

The Strangers' Banquet ''The Strangers' Banquet'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Marshall Neilan and starring Hobart Bosworth, Claire Windsor, and Rockliffe Fellowes.Connelly p. 272 It is based on the 1919 novel of the same title by Brian Oswald Donn- ...

'' (1922) - Uncle Sam *'' The Christian'' (1923) - Lord Storm * ''

Crinoline and Romance ''Crinoline and Romance'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Viola Dana, Claude Gillingwater, and John Bowers. Plot As described in a film magazine, Colonel Charles E. Cavanaugh (Gillingwater) lives i ...

'' (1923) - Col. Charles E. Cavanaugh *'' Alice Adams'' (1923) - Virgil Adams *'' Three Wise Fools'' (1923) - Theodore Findley *'' Dulcy'' (1923) - Mr. Forbes *''

A Chapter in Her Life ''A Chapter in Her Life'' is a 1923 American drama film based on the novel ''Jewel: A Chapter in Her Life'' by Clara Louise Burnham. The film was directed by Lois Weber. She had previously adapted the same novel as the 1915 film ''Jewel'', which ...

'' (1923) - Mr. Everingham *'' Tiger Rose'' (1923) - Hector McCollins *'' Souls for Sale'' (1923) - Himself (uncredited) *''

Daddies Daddies is a brand of ketchup and brown sauce in the United Kingdom. History The brown sauce product, known as "Daddies Sauce", was launched in 1904, and the ketchup was launched in 1930. The brand is owned by the H. J. Heinz Company; it was bou ...

'' (1924) - James Crockett *''

How to Educate a Wife ''How to Educate a Wife'' is a lost 1924 American comedy film directed by Monta Bell and written by Grant Carpenter and Douglas Z. Doty. The film stars Marie Prevost, Monte Blue, Claude Gillingwater, Vera Lewis, Betty Francisco and Creighton ...

'' (1924) - Henry Bancks *'' Madonna of the Streets'' (1924) - Lord Patrington *'' Idle Tongues'' (1924) - Judge Daniel Webster Copeland *''

A Thief in Paradise ''A Thief in Paradise'' is a 1925 American silent drama film produced by Samuel Goldwyn, directed by George Fitzmaurice, and adapted by Frances Marion from Leonard Merrick's 1900 novel ''The Worldlings''.

'' (1925) - Noel Jardine *''

Cheaper to Marry ''Cheaper to Marry'' is a 1925 American film starring Conrad Nagel, Lewis Stone, Marguerite De La Motte and Paulette Duval. The film was directed by Robert Z. Leonard, and written by Alice D. G. Miller based upon a play by Samuel Shipman. Plo ...

'' (1925) - Riddle *''

Winds of Chance ''Winds of Chance'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Frank Lloyd and produced and released by First National Pictures. Plot As described in a film magazine reviews, when Pierce Phillips finds he has no money to meet the governm ...

'' (1925) - Tom Linton *'' Seven Sinners'' (1925) - 'Pious Joe' McDowell *''

We Moderns ''We Moderns'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by John Francis Dillon and starring Colleen Moore. The film was produced by Moore's husband John McCormick and was released through First National Pictures. It was based on the p ...

'' (1925) - Sir Robert Sundale *''

Wages for Wives ''Wages for Wives'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Jacqueline Logan, Creighton Hale, Earle Foxe, ZaSu Pitts, Claude Gillingwater, and David Butler. The film was released by Fox Film Corporation on ...

'' (1925) - Jim Bailey *'' That's My Baby'' (1926) - John Raynor *''

Into Her Kingdom ''Into Her Kingdom'' is a 1926 American silent film featuring a Technicolor sequence which dramatizes the Russian Revolution. It was based on a 1925 short story of the same name by Ruth Comfort Mitchell, originally published in Red Book Magaz ...

'' (1926) - Ivan (their tutor) * ''

For Wives Only ''For Wives Only'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Victor Heerman and starring Marie Prevost, Victor Varconi and Charles K. Gerrard.Munden p.265 Cast * Marie Prevost as Laura Rittenhaus * Victor Varconi as Dr. Rittenhaus * ...

'' (1926) - Professor von Waldstein *'' 45 Minutes from Hollywood'' (1926, Short) - Old Man in Hotel Bed (uncredited) *''

Fast and Furious ''Fast & Furious'' (also known as ''The Fast and the Furious'') is a media franchise centered on a series of action films that are largely concerned with street racing, heists, spies, and family. The franchise also includes short films, a ...

'' (1927) - Smithfield *'' Naughty but Nice'' (1927) - Judge J. R. Altewood *''

Barbed Wire A close-up view of a barbed wire Roll of modern agricultural barbed wire Barbed wire, also known as barb wire, is a type of steel fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strands. Its primary use is t ...

'' (1927) - Jean Moreau *'' The Gorilla'' (1927) - Cyrus Townsend *'' Husbands for Rent'' (1927) - Sir Reginald Knight *'' The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come'' (1928) - Major Buford *'' Women They Talk About'' (1928) - Grandfather Mervin *'' Oh, Kay!'' (1928) - Judge Appleton *''

Stark Mad ''Stark Mad'' is a 1929 American pre-Code adventure film produced and distributed by Warner Bros., directed by Lloyd Bacon, and starring H. B. Warner, Louise Fazenda, Jacqueline Logan and Henry B. Walthall. This lurid jungle melodrama was an att ...

'' (1929) - James Rutherford - Expedition Leader *''

Stolen Kisses ''Stolen Kisses'' (french: Baisers volés) is a 1968 French romantic comedy-drama film directed by François Truffaut, starring Jean-Pierre Léaud, Delphine Seyrig and Claude Jade. It continues the story of the character Antoine Doinel, whom Tr ...

'' (1929) - H.A. Lambert Sr. *''

Glad Rag Doll "Glad Rag Doll" is a 1928 song composed by Milton Ager and Dan Dougherty with lyrics by Jack Yellen. It was Ager and Yellen's first movie theme song, written for the motion picture of the same name (released in 1929) starring Dolores Costello. ...

'' (1929) - Sam Underlane *''

Smiling Irish Eyes ''Smiling Irish Eyes'' (1929) is a Vitaphone American pre-Code musical film with Technicolor sequences. The film is now considered a lost film. However, the Vitaphone discs still exist. Plot Rory O'More leaves his sweetheart Kathleen O'Connor ba ...

'' (1929) - Michael O'Connor *'' The Great Divide'' (1929) - Winthrop Amesbury *'' So Long Letty'' (1929) - Uncle Claude Davis *''

Dumbbells in Ermine ''Dumbbells in Ermine'' is a 1930 American early talkie pre-Code comedy film based on the 1925 play ''Weak Sisters'' by Lynn Starling. The film stars Robert Armstrong and Barbara Kent, and features Beryl Mercer, James Gleason, and Claude Gilli ...

'' (1930) - Uncle Roger *'' The Flirting Widow'' (1930) - Faraday *'' Kiss Me Again'' (1931) - Count de St. Cyr *'' Illicit'' (1931) - Ives Sr. *''

The Conquering Horde ''The Conquering Horde'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Western directed by Edward Sloman and written by Emerson Hough, Grover Jones and William Slavens McNutt. The film stars Richard Arlen, Fay Wray, Claude Gillingwater, Ian Maclaren, Frank Rice ...

'' (1931) - Jim Nabours *'' Daddy Long Legs'' (1931) - Riggs *''

Gold Dust Gertie ''Gold Dust Gertie'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code musical comedy produced and released by Warner Brothers. It was originally completed as a full musical. Due to the backlash against musicals, however, all the songs were cut from the film in all r ...

'' (1931) - John Aberdeen Arnold *'' Compromised'' (1931) - John Brock *'' Tess of the Storm Country'' (1932) - Frederick Garfield Sr *''

Ann Carver's Profession ''Ann Carver's Profession'' is an American pre-Code 1933 film directed by Edward Buzzell. It focuses on the relationship of a female lawyer and her husband, and on the strain that her financial success places on their marriage. The film stars ac ...

'' (1933) - Judge Bingham *'' The Avenger'' (1933) - Witt *''

Skyway A skyway, skybridge, skywalk, or sky walkway is an elevated type of pedway connecting two or more buildings in an urban area, or connecting elevated points within mountainous recreational zones. Urban skyways very often take the form of enclos ...

'' (1933) - John Beaumont *''

I Loved a Woman ''I Loved a Woman'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama directed by Alfred E. Green, starring Kay Francis, Edward G. Robinson, and Genevieve Tobin. According to producer Hal Wallis' autobiography (with Charles Higham), Robinson and Francis "were ...

'' (1933) - Banker (uncredited) * ''

Before Midnight ''Before Midnight'' is a 2013 American romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The sequel to ''Before Sunrise'' (1995) and ''Before Sunset'' (2004), it is the third instal ...

'' (1933) - John Fry *''

You Can't Buy Everything ''You Can't Buy Everything'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Charles Reisner and Sandy Roth and starring May Robson, Jean Parker and Lewis Stone. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Working titles of the film were ...

'' (1934) - Banker Asa Cabot *''

The Show-Off ''The Show-Off'' is a 1924 stage play by George Kelly about a working-class North Philadelphian family's reluctance to accept their daughter's suitor Aubrey Piper, an overly confident Socialist buffoon. The play has been revived five times on Bro ...

'' (1934) - J.B. Preston *''

City Limits City limits or city boundaries refer to the defined boundary or border of a city. The area within the city limit can be called the city proper. Town limit/boundary and village limit/boundary apply to towns and villages. Similarly, corporate limi ...

'' (1934) - Oliver * ''

Unknown Blonde ''Unknown Blonde'' is a 1934 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Hobart Henley and starring Edward Arnold, Barbara Barondess and Dorothy Revier. It was released by the independent Majestic Pictures.Pitts, p. 234 It was based on the ...

'' (1934) - Papa Van Brunt, Sr. *''

In Love with Life ''In Love with Life'' is a 1934 American pre-Code film directed by Frank R. Strayer. Plot summary Sharon is a penniless widow, forced to seek help from her father, Morley, a wealthy financier, who didn't approve of her marriage. Morley agrees t ...

'' (1934) - Morley *'' Green Eyes'' (1934) - Steven Kester *'' Back Page'' (1934) - Sam Webster *''

The Captain Hates the Sea ''The Captain Hates the Sea'' is a 1934 comedy film directed by Lewis Milestone and released by Columbia Pictures. The film, which involves a ''Grand Hotel''-style series of intertwining stories involving the passengers on a cruise ship, is notab ...

'' (1934) - Judge Griswold *'' Broadway Bill'' (1934) - J.P. Chase *''

Strange Wives ''Strange Wives'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe, written by James Mulhauser, Barry Trivers, and Gladys Buchanan Unger, and starring Roger Pryor, June Clayworth, Esther Ralston, Hugh O'Connell, Ralph Forbes, and Cesa ...

'' (1934) - Guggins *'' The Woman in Red'' (1935) - Grandpa Wyatt *''

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

'' (1935) - General Rumford *''

Baby Face Harrington ''Baby Face Harrington'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Raoul Walsh and written by Nunnally Johnson, Edwin H. Knopf and Charles Lederer. The film stars Charles Butterworth, Una Merkel, Harvey Stephens, Eugene Pallette and Nat Pendl ...

'' (1935) - Colton *'' Calm Yourself'' (1935) - Col. Allenby *''

Together We Live ''Together We Live'' is a 1935 drama film distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film was directed by Willard Mack. The film's events are related to the 1934 West Coast waterfront strike. Two starring actors were dead at the time of release which ...

'' (1935) - Dick *''

'' (1935) - Jarvis Lorry Jr. *''

'' (1936) - Col. Jeremiah Milford Dyer *''

Florida Special ''Florida Special'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Ralph Murphy and written by David Boehm, Marguerite Roberts, Laura Perelman and S. J. Perelman. The film stars Jack Oakie, Sally Eilers, Kent Taylor, Frances Drake, Claude Gilling ...

'' (1936) - Simeon Stafford *''

Counterfeit To counterfeit means to imitate something authentic, with the intent to steal, destroy, or replace the original, for use in illegal transactions, or otherwise to deceive individuals into believing that the fake is of equal or greater value tha ...

'' (1936) - Tom Perkins *'' Ticket to Paradise'' (1936) - Robert Forbes *'' Poor Little Rich Girl'' (1936) - Simon Peck *'' Wives Never Know'' (1936) - Mr. Gossamer *''

Can This Be Dixie? ''Can This Be Dixie?'' is a 1936 American musical comedy film directed by George Marshall and featuring child star Jane Withers along with Slim Summerville and Helen Wood. In 1937 and 1938, Withers became one of the top 10 box-office stars i ...

'' (1937) - Col. Robert Peachtree *'' Top of the Town'' (1937) - William Borden *''

'' (1937) - Stephan (Marie's servant) *''

'' (1938) - Ben Dalton *''

'' (1938) - Judge *'' There Goes My Heart'' (1938) - Cyrus Butterfield *'' Just Around the Corner'' (1938) - Samuel G. Henshaw *''

Cafe Society A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caf ...

'' (1939) - Old Christopher West

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gillingwater, Claude 1870 births 1939 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male silent film actors Male actors from Missouri Suicides by firearm in California People from Louisiana, Missouri Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) 1939 suicides