Joseph Henry Kolker (November 13, 1874 ome sources 1870– July 15, 1947) was an American stage and

film 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 (), lit ...

and director.

Early years

Kolker was born in Quincy, Illinois.

Career

Kolker, like fellow actors Richard Bennett and

Robert Warwick Robert Warwick (born Robert Taylor Bien, October 9, 1878 – June 6, 1964) was an American stage, film and television actor with over 200 film appearances. A matinee idol during the silent film era, he also prospered after the introductio ...

, had a substantial stage career before entering silent films. He began acting professionally in stock theater in 1895. On stage he appeared opposite actresses such as Edith Wynne Matthison, Bertha Kalich and Ruth Chatterton. Kolker began acting in films in 1915. He is best remembered for his movie roles, including one in the ground-breaking Pre-Code film '' Baby Face'' (1933) as an elderly CEO. Another well-remembered part is as Mr. Seton, father of

Katharine Hepburn Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress in film, stage, and television. Her career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned over 60 years. She was known for her headstrong independence, spirited perso ...

and Lew Ayres in the 1938 film ''

Holiday A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law on which normal activities, especially business or work including school, are suspended or reduced. Generally, holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate an event or t ...

'' directed by George Cukor. Kolker entered films as an actor in 1915 and eventually tried his hand at directing. Kolker's best-known directorial effort is '' Disraeli'' (1921), starring George Arliss which is now a lost film with only one reel remaining. Prints however are said to exist in Europe and Russia.

Personal life

Kolker was married to Lillian Carroll; they divorced in 1926. Soon after the divorce, he married Margaret Bruen. Kolker died on July 15, 1947, aged 72.

Selected filmography

As actor

* '' The Bigger Man'' (1915) as John Stoddard * ''The Warning'' (1915) as Robert Denman * '' How Molly Made Good'' (1915, cameo as himself) * '' Gloria's Romance'' (1916) as Dr. Stephen Royce * '' The Shell Game'' (1918) as Lawrence Gray * '' Social Hypocrites'' (1918) as Dr. Frank Simpson * '' The House of Mirth'' (1918) as Lawrence Selden * '' The Great Victory'' (1918) as Kaiser Wilhelm II * '' The Parisian Tigress'' (1919) as Henri Dutray * '' Blackie's Redemption'' (1919) as Fred the Count * '' The Red Lantern'' (1919) * '' Tangled Threads'' (1919) as Dr. MacGregor * '' The Brat'' (1919) as A Dandy * '' Her Purchase Price'' (1919) as Duke of Wryden * '' A Man of Stone'' (1921) * '' Any Woman'' (1925) as Egbert Phillips * '' Sally, Irene and Mary'' (1925) as Marcus Morton * ''

The Palace of Pleasure ''The Palace of Pleasure'' is a poem by James Henry Leigh Hunt published in his 1801 collection ''Juvenilia''. Written before he was even sixteen, the work was part of a long tradition of poets imitating Spenser. ''The Palace of Pleasure'' is an ...

'' (1926) as Premier * '' Hell's Four Hundred'' (1926) as John Gilmore * ''Winning the Futurity'' (1926) (scenes deleted) * ''

Wet Paint Wet may refer to: * Moisture, the condition of containing liquid or being covered or saturated in liquid * Wetting (or wetness), a measure of how well a liquid sticks to a solid rather than forming a sphere on the surface Wet or WET may also ref ...

'' (1926) as A Husband * ''

A Kiss in a Taxi ''A Kiss In A Taxi'' is a lost 1927 American silent comedy film starring Bebe Daniels and directed by Clarence Badger. It is based on a French play, ''A Kiss in a Taxi'', produced on Broadway in 1925. Famous Players-Lasky produced and Paramount P ...

'' (1927) as Leon Lambert * '' Annie Laurie'' (1927) as King's Representative * '' Rough House Rosie'' (1927) as W.S. Davids * '' Soft Living'' (1928) as Roidney S. Bowen * '' Midnight Rose'' (1928) as Corbin * '' The Charge of the Gauchos'' (1928) as Viceroy Cisneros * '' Don't Marry'' (1928) as Gen. Willoughby * '' Coquette'' (1929) as Jasper Carter * '' The Valiant'' (1929) as Judge * '' Pleasure Crazed'' (1929) as Col. Farquar * '' Love, Live and Laugh'' (1929) as Enrico * '' The Bad One'' (1930) as Prosecutor * '' East Is West'' (1930) as Butler * ''

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

'' (1930) as New Englander * '' The Way of All Men'' (1930) as Sharp * '' Du Barry, Woman of Passion'' (1930) as D'Aiguillon * '' East Is West'' (1930) as Mr. Benson * '' One Heavenly Night'' (1931) as Prefect of Police * '' Don't Bet on Women'' (1931) as Butterfield * '' Doctors' Wives'' (1931) as Hospital Official * '' Quick Millions'' (1931) as District Attorney * '' Indiscreet'' (1931) as Mr. Woodward * '' The Spy'' (1931) as Tchijinski * '' I Like Your Nerve'' (1931) as Areal Pacheco * '' The Unholy Garden'' (1931) as Col. Lautrac * '' The Yellow Ticket'' (1931) as Passport Clerk * '' The Washington Masquerade'' (1932) as Stapleton * '' Jewel Robbery'' (1932) as Baron Franz * '' The First Year'' (1932) as Peter Barstow * '' Devil and the Deep'' (1932) as Hutton * '' Down to Earth'' (1932) as Randolph * '' The Crash'' (1932) as John Fair * ''

Faithless Faithless are an English band that formed in 1995, with its core members being Rollo, Sister Bliss and Maxi Jazz. Their first album, '' Reverence'', was released in 1996 and their most recent, '' All Blessed'', in 2020. They have sold milli ...

'' (1932) as Mr. Carter * '' Rasputin and the Empress'' (1932) as Chief of Secret Police * '' The Keyhole'' (1933) as Schuyler Brooks * ''

Gabriel Over the White House ''Gabriel Over the White House'' is a 1933 American pre-Code political fantasy film starring Walter Huston as a genial but politically corrupt U.S. President who has a near-fatal automobile accident and comes under divine influence—specifical ...

'' (1933) as Sen. Langham - Senate Majority Leader * '' Hello, Sister!'' (1933) as Jameson Brewster, Bank President * '' A Bedtime Story'' (1933) as Agent de Police * '' Hell Below'' (1933) as Adm. Sir Hugh Higby * ''

The Narrow Corner ''The Narrow Corner'' is a novel by the British writer W. Somerset Maugham, published by William Heinemann in 1932. A quote from ''Meditations'', iii 10, by Marcus Aurelius, introduces the work: "Short therefore, is man's life, and narrow is th ...

'' (1933) as Mr. Blake, Fred's Father * '' Baby Face'' (1933) as Carter * '' Notorious But Nice'' (1933) as Defense Attorney Clark * '' The Power and the Glory'' (1933) as Mr. Borden * ''

Bureau of Missing Persons ''Bureau of Missing Persons'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film with comic overtones directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Bette Davis, Lewis Stone, Pat O'Brien and Glenda Farrell . The screenplay by Robert Presnell is based on the bo ...

'' (1933) as Theodore Arno * '' Golden Harvest'' (1933) as Henry Flint * '' I Loved a Woman'' (1933) as Mr. Sanborn * '' Love, Honor, and Oh Baby!'' (1933) as The Judge * '' Gigolettes of Paris'' (1933) as Police Interrogator * '' Meet the Baron'' (1933) as Baron Munchausen * '' Blood Money'' (1933) as Newspaper Managing Editor * ''

Massacre A massacre is the killing of a large number of people or animals, especially those who are not involved in any fighting or have no way of defending themselves. A massacre is generally considered to be morally unacceptable, especially when per ...

'' (1934) as Sen. Woolsey * '' Bedside'' (1934) as Maritza's Manager * '' I've Got Your Number'' (1934) as Robert Kirkland * '' The Cat and the Fiddle'' (1934) as Theatre Manager * '' Wonder Bar'' (1934) as Mr. R.H. Renaud * '' Journal of a Crime'' (1934) as Henri Marcher * '' Success at Any Price'' (1934) as Hatfield * '' Sisters Under the Skin'' (1934) as Jones * '' Let's Talk It Over'' (1934) as Doctor * '' Black Moon'' (1934) as The Psychiatrist * '' The Hell Cat'' (1934) as C.W. Sloane * ''

Let's Try Again ''Let's Try Again'' is a 1934 American melodrama film starring Clive Brook. It was known in Britain as ''Marriage Symphony''. It earned $183,000 at the box office at a time when a film of its budget was expected to earn $250,000.Richard Jewell a ...

'' (1934) as Mr. Blake * '' Stamboul Quest'' (1934) as 'Excellency' German War Office * '' Whom the Gods Destroy'' (1934) as Carlo, the Puppeteer * ''

Blind Date A blind date is a social engagement between two people who have not met, usually arranged by a mutual acquaintance. Structure A blind date is arranged for by a mutual acquaintance of both participants. The two people who take part in the blind ...

'' (1934) as J.W. Hartwell, Sr. * '' Name the Woman'' (1934) as Judge Adams * '' The Girl From Missouri'' (1934) as Sen. Titcombe * '' She Loves Me Not'' (1934) as Charles M. Lawton * '' Now and Forever'' (1934) as Mr. Clark * '' Million Dollar Ransom'' (1934) Dr. Davis * '' One Exciting Adventure'' (1934) as Customer * '' A Lost Lady'' (1934) as John Ormsby * ''

Lady by Choice ''Lady by Choice'' is a 1934 American romantic drama film released by Columbia Pictures starring Carole Lombard as a fan dancer and May Robson as a homeless drunk asked to pose as the dancer's mother for a publicity stunt, with unexpected consequ ...

'' (1934) as Opper * ''

Imitation of Life Imitation (from Latin ''imitatio'', "a copying, imitation") is a behavior whereby an individual observes and replicates another's behavior. Imitation is also a form of that leads to the "development of traditions, and ultimately our culture. I ...

'' (1934) as Dr. Preston * '' Love Time'' (1934) as Emperor Francis I * '' Kid Millions'' (1934) as Attorney * '' The Ghost Walks'' (1934) as Dr. Kent * '' Sing Sing Nights'' (1934) as Kurt Nordon * '' The Band Plays On'' (1934) as Professor Hackett * '' Charlie Chan in Paris'' (1935) as M. Lamartine * '' Society Doctor'' (1935) as Dr. Harvey * '' Red Hot Tires'' (1935) as Martin Sanford * ''

The Mystery Man ''The Mystery Man'' is the fifth solo album by jazz pianist Mike Garson, and was released in 1990. Track listing References Mike Garson albums 1990 albums {{1990s-jazz-album-stub ...

'' (1935) as Ellwyn A. 'Jo-Jo' Jonas * '' One New York Night'' (1935) as Arthur Carlisle * '' Times Square Lady'' (1935) as Mr. Fielding * ''

A Dog of Flanders ''A Dog of Flanders'' is an 1872 novel by English author Marie Louise de la Ramée published with her pseudonym "Ouida". It is about a Flemish boy named Nello and his dog, Patrasche, and is set in Antwerp. In Japan, Korea, Russia, Ukraine and ...

'' (1935) as Monsieur LaTour, Art Critic * '' The Florentine Dagger'' (1935) as Auctioneer * '' The Case of the Curious Bride'' (1935) as District Attorney Stacey * ''

Reckless Reckless may refer to: Film and television Film * ''Reckless'' (1935 film), an American musical directed by Victor Fleming * ''Reckless'' (1951 film), a Spanish drama film directed by José Antonio Nieves Conde * '' The Reckless'', a 1965 Itali ...

'' (1935) as Mr. Gearhart * '' Go Into Your Dance'' (1935) as Doctor * '' Spring Tonic'' (1935) as Mr. Enix * '' Honeymoon Limited'' (1935) as Mr. Randall * ''

Mad Love __NOTOC__ Mad Love may refer to: Books *''Mad Love'' (French ''L'amour fou''), collection of poems by André Breton *'' The Batman Adventures: Mad Love'', an Eisner and Harvey award-winning comic by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm * Mad Love (publisher), ...

'' (1935) as Prefect Rosset * '' The Black Room'' (1935) as Baron Frederick de Berghman * '' Here Comes the Band'' (1935) as Simmon's Attorney * '' Diamond Jim'' (1935) as J.C. Randolf, Bank President * '' Ladies Love Danger'' (1935) as Jose Lopez * '' Red Salute'' (1935) as Dean * '' I Live My Life'' (1935) as Relative at Mrs. Gage's * '' Shipmates Forever'' (1935) as The Doctor * '' The Last Days of Pompeii'' (1935) as Warder * '' Three Kids and a Queen'' (1935) as Crippets * '' Frisco Waterfront'' (1935) as District Attorney * '' The Great Impersonation'' (1935) as Dr. Schmidt * '' Collegiate'' (1936) as Mr. MacGregor * ''

My Marriage ''My Marriage'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Frances Hyland. The film stars Claire Trevor, Kent Taylor, Pauline Frederick, Paul Kelly, Helen Wood and Thomas Beck. The film was released on January 3 ...

'' (1936) as Maj. Vaile * '' Bullets or Ballots'' (1936) as Mr. Hollister * ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with ''Ham ...

'' (1936) as Friar Laurence * '' Sitting on the Moon'' (1936) as Worthington * ''In His Steps'' (1936) as Calvin Carver * '' The Man Who Lived Twice'' (1936) as Judge Henry Treacher * '' Theodora Goes Wild'' (1936) as Jonathan Grant * '' Great Guy'' (1936) as Abel Canning * '' Under Cover of Night'' (1937) as District Attorney Pritchard * '' Once a Doctor'' (1937) as Dr. Bruce Nordland * '' They Wanted to Marry'' (1937) as Mr. Hunter * '' Green Light'' (1937) as Dr. Lane * '' Maid of Salem'' (1937) as Crown Chief Justice Laughton * '' Let Them Live'' (1937) as Judge Lederer * '' The Devil Is Driving'' (1937) as Charles Stevens * '' Conquest'' (1937) as Sen. Wybitcki * ''

Thoroughbreds Don't Cry ''Thoroughbreds Don't Cry'' is a 1937 American musical comedy film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in their first film together. Plot Cricket West is a hopeful actress with a pair of vocal cords that bri ...

'' (1937) as 'Doc' Godfrey * '' The Invisible Menace'' (1938) as Col. Hackett * '' Love Is a Headache'' (1938) as Mr. Sam Ellinger * '' The Adventures of Marco Polo'' (1938) as Nicolo Polo * ''

'' (1938) as Edward Seton * '' Safety in Numbers'' (1938) as Dr. Lawrence Edmonds * ''

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne (; ; née Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She was born an archduchess of Austria, and was the penultimate child ...

'' (1938) as Court Aide * '' Too Hot to Handle'' (1938) as "Pearly" Todd * '' The Cowboy and the Lady'' (1938) as Horace Smith * '' Let Us Live'' (1939) as Chief of Police * ''

Union Pacific The Union Pacific Railroad , legally Union Pacific Railroad Company and often called simply Union Pacific, is a freight-hauling railroad that operates 8,300 locomotives over routes in 23 U.S. states west of Chicago and New Orleans. Union Pac ...

'' (1939) as Asa M. Barrows * ''

Should Husbands Work? ''Should Husbands Work?'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Taylor Caven and Jack Townley. The film stars James Gleason, Lucile Gleason, Russell Gleason, Harry Davenport, Berton Churchill and Marie Wilson. The f ...

'' (1939) as Taylor * '' These Glamour Girls'' (1939) as Philip S. Griswold II * '' Hidden Power'' (1939) as Weston * '' The Real Glory'' (1939) as The General * '' Parents on Trial'' (1939) as James Wesley * '' Here I Am a Stranger'' (1939) as R.J. Bennett * '' Main Street Lawyer'' (1939) as Donnelly, District Attorney * '' Grand Ole Opry'' (1940) as William C. Scully * '' Money and the Woman'' (1940) as Mr. Rollins, Barbara's Father * ''

Las Vegas Nights ''Las Vegas Nights'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Ralph Murphy and written by Ernest Pagano, Harry Clork and Eddie Welch. The film stars Phil Regan, Bert Wheeler, Constance Moore, Virginia Dale, Lillian Cornell, Betty Brewer ...

'' (1941) as John Stevens * '' The Man Who Lost Himself'' (1941) as Mulhausen * '' The Great Swindle'' (1941) as Stewart Cordell * '' A Woman's Face'' (1941) as Judge * '' The Parson of Panamint'' (1941) as Judge Arnold Mason * ''

Sing for Your Supper Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

'' (1941) as Myron T. Hayworth * '' Reunion in France'' (1942) as General Bartholomew * ''

Sarong Girl ''Sarong Girl'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Arthur Dreifuss and written by Charles R. Marion, Arthur Hoerl and Tim Ryan. The film stars Ann Corio, Tim Ryan, Irene Ryan, Mantan Moreland, William Henry, Damian O'Flynn and Jo ...

'' (1943) as Mr. Jefferson Baxter * ''

Bluebeard "Bluebeard" (french: Barbe bleue, ) is a French folktale, the most famous surviving version of which was written by Charles Perrault and first published by Barbin in Paris in 1697 in '' Histoires ou contes du temps passé''. The tale tells the ...

'' (1944) as Deschamps * '' The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'' (1947) as Dr. Benbow

As director

Kolker directed 18 feature films, most of them lost. * ''Santo Icario'' (1914) * ''

A Man's Country ''A Man's Country'' is a 1919 silent Western drama film directed by Henry Kolker, and starring Alma Rubens, Alan Roscoe, and Lon Chaney. It was written by Richard Schayer based on a screen story by John Lynch. The poster's tagline was "A forcef ...

'' (1919) * '' The Woman Michael Married'' (1919) * ''The Third Generation'' (1920) * ''Bright Skies'' (1920) * ''Heart of Twenty'' (1920) * '' The Palace of Darkened Windows'' (1920) * '' The Greatest Love'' (1920) * '' Bucking the Tiger'' (1921) * '' Who Am I?'' (1921) * ''

The Fighter ''The Fighter'' is a 2010 American Biographical film, biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and stars Mark Wahlberg (who also produced), Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. The film centers on the lives of profes ...

'' (1921) * '' Disraeli'' (1921) * '' The Leopardess'' (1923) * ''Sant'Ilario'' (1923) * ''

The Snow Bride ''The Snow Bride'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Henry Kolker, written by Julie Herne and Sonya Levien, and starring Alice Brady, Maurice 'Lefty' Flynn, Mario Majeroni, Nick Thompson, Jack Baston, and Stephen Grattan. It was ...

'' (1923) * '' The Purple Highway'' (1923) * '' I Will Repay'' (1923) * '' The Great Well'' (1924)

As writer

* ''The Man with the Iron Heart'' (1915, short) * ''The Third Generation'' (1920)

References

External links

* * *
Henry Kolker
photo portraits at NYP Library {{DEFAULTSORT:Kolker, Henry 1874 births 1947 deaths Male actors from Illinois American male film actors American male silent film actors 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Los Angeles Actors from Quincy, Illinois Film directors from California Film directors from Illinois Male actors from Berlin German emigrants to the United States Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)