Courtenay Foote (22 November 1878 – 4 May 1925) was an English stage and

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, 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) ...

actor. Born in Yorkshire, England, Foote attended Oxford, studied engineering in Germany, and worked as a civil engineer in Scotland. Friends who heard him recite blank verse encouraged him to become an actor, but his grandfather opposed that idea. Foote abandoned the plan for a while and became a broker, but his lack of success in that field led his grandfather to drop his opposition to acting. An introduction to

F. R. Benson Sir Francis Robert Benson (4 November 1858 – 31 December 1939), known professionally as Frank Benson or F. R. Benson, was an English actor-manager. He founded his own company in 1883 and produced all but two of William Shakespeare, Shakespeare ...

, followed by Foote's recitations as an audition, resulted in Foote's first acting job. He performed with Benson's troupe for 18 months, progressing from smaller parts to more significant roles. He went on to London, performing at the Haymarket Theatre, the Court Theatre, and the Shakesperean Festival. Foote's first play in the United States was ''The Debtors'', in which he debuted as Arthur Clenham in New York, followed by a touring production. A developing interest in motion pictures led Foote to visit Vitagraph Studios several times, each visit increasing his interest, His film debut was in the initial ''Captain Barnacle'' production. He went on to work for Reliance and Majestic studios. He appeared with

George Arliss George Arliss (born Augustus George Andrews; 10 April 1868 – 5 February 1946) was an English actor, author, playwright, and filmmaker who found success in the United States. He was the first British actor to win an Academy Award – which he ...

on stage in 1911 in the long running play ''Disraeli''. He appeared in 59 films between 1910 and 1924. He was born in

Harrogate Harrogate ( ) is a spa town and the administrative centre of the Borough of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England. Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa w ...

West Riding of Yorkshire The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county County of York, West Riding (the area under the control of West Riding County Council), abbreviated County ...

and died in Italy.

Partial filmography

* '' So Near, Yet so Far'' (1912) * '' The Quicksands'' (1914) * '' Home, Sweet Home'' (1914) * ''

The Pursuit of the Phantom ''The Pursuit of the Phantom'' is a 1914 American drama film written and directed by Hobart Bosworth. The film stars Hobart Bosworth, Rhea Haines, Helen Wolcott, Courtenay Foote and Myrtle Stedman. The film was released on September 1, 1914, by ...

'' (1914) * ''

Buckshot John ''Buckshot John'' is a 1915 American Western film that was directed by and starred Hobart Bosworth. Prints of the film survive in the Library of Congress film archive. Cast * Hobart Bosworth as "Buckshot John" Moran * Courtenay Foote as Dr. Buc ...

'' (1915) * ''

Captain Courtesy ''Captain Courtesy'' is a lost film, lost 1915 American silent film, silent drama film directed by Phillips Smalley and Lois Weber based upon a novel by Edward Childs Carpenter. The film stars Dustin Farnum, Courtenay Foote, Winifred Kingston, H ...

'' (1915) * '' Hypocrites'' (1915) * ''

His Parisian Wife ''His Parisian Wife'' is a lost 1919 silent film romantic drama produced by Famous Players–Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Emile Chautard and starred Elsie Ferguson. The source for this picture was the novel ''T ...

'' (1919) * '' The Two Brides'' (1919) * '' The Bronze Bell'' (1921) * ''

The Passion Flower ''The Passion Flower'' is a 1921 American drama film starring Norma Talmadge, Courtenay Foote, and Eulalie Jensen, and directed by Herbert Brenon. It is based on the 1913 Spanish play '' The Unloved Woman'' (Spanish: ''La malquerida'') by Jac ...

'' (1921) * '' Fascination'' (1922) * ''

Ashes of Vengeance ''Ashes of Vengeance'' is a 1923 American drama film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Norma Talmadge and Wallace Beery. Plot At the ball celebrating the wedding of Henry of Navarre on August 23, 1572, the evil Queen Mother Catherine de' Me ...

'' (1923) * '' Little Old New York'' (1923) * '' Tess of the d'Urbervilles'' (1924)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Foote, Courtenay 1878 births 1925 deaths English male film actors English male silent film actors People from Harrogate Male actors from Yorkshire 20th-century English male actors British expatriates in Italy