Henry McDonald Sedley (1881–1962) was an American actor. He caused the death of a fellow student while a freshman at

Yale University Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...

in 1901, which may have been the reason for a young woman being banned by her grandmother from marrying him. Prior to achieving fame in

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, when ...

, he owned several racehorses and was a champion jockey. Born in New York in 1881, he attended St. Paul's school, Andover, and the

Sheffield Scientific School Sheffield Scientific School was founded in 1847 as a school of Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut, for instruction in science and engineering. Originally named the Yale Scientific School, it was renamed in 1861 in honor of Joseph E. Sheffield, ...

, though he did not complete a degree at Yale. He bought a 70 foot racing yacht from

Alfred G. Vanderbilt Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Sr. (October 20, 1877 – May 7, 1915) was a wealthy American businessman, and a member of the Vanderbilt family. A sportsman, he participated in and pioneered a number of related endeavors. He died in the sinking of ...

, and was described as a

bon vivant ''Bon'', also spelled Bön () and also known as Yungdrung Bon (, "eternal Bon"), is a Tibetan religious tradition with many similarities to Tibetan Buddhism and also many unique features.Samuel 2012, pp. 220-221. Bon initially developed in t ...

. When a freshman at Yale in 1901, he caused the death of a classmate, Edward F. Corrigan. He was expelled from Yale in the aftermath. In 1907 he reached a settlement for $300. About the same time, Oliver Barnes, a wealthy friend from

Reno, Nevada Reno ( ) is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada-California border, about north from Lake Tahoe, known as "The Biggest Little City in the World". Known for its casino and tourism industry, Reno is the ...

, took Sedley under his wing and assisted his transition into the film industry. In 1912, he was in the news when a young woman's grandmother forbade her from marrying him. He was a stage actor for five years prior to transitioning to film in the late 1910s. Early in his film career he was known for playing villains. He was almost six feet tall. Having a slight build, he was not given to portrayals of physical conflict, but in at least one instance (in '' Straight is the Way'', 1921) his fight scene was highlighted in a review. Early in his career he roomed with

Adolphe Menjou Adolphe Jean Menjou (February 18, 1890 – October 29, 1963) was an American actor. His career spanned both silent films and talkies. He appeared in such films as Charlie Chaplin's ''A Woman of Paris'', where he played the lead role; Stanley K ...

, and the two shared their possessions and paychecks. His early film roles included ''

The Daredevil ''The Daredevil'' (german: Der Draufgänger) is a 1931 German crime film directed by Richard Eichberg and starring Hans Albers, Gerda Maurus and Mártha Eggerth.Bock & Bergfelder p. 105 The film's sets were designed by the art directors Ha ...

'', '' Thunderbolts of Fate'', and '' The Kaiser's Bride''.

Family

His father, also named

Henry Sedley Henry Sedley may refer to: * Henry Sedley (actor) * Henry Sedley (journalist) * Sir Henry Sedley, 3rd Baronet, of the Sedley baronets There have been three baronetcies created for members of the Sedley ( otherwise Sidley) family of Kent, all in ...

, was an engineer and journalist. His mother was Eleanor Phelps McKeague. His younger brother Parke Godwin Sedley was a stockbroker. He had two sisters, Eleanor and Barbara.

Filmography

*'' The Hidden Hand'' (1917), a serial *'' Just for Tonight'' (1918) as Crandall *'' Marriage for Convenience'' (1919) as Howard Pollard *''

Taxi A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice ...

'' as Duke Beamer *'' Voices'' as Justin Lord *'' The Woman God Changed'' (1921) as Alastair De Vries *'' The Silver Lining'' as Mr. Baxter *'' Straight Is the Way'' as Jonathan Squoggs *''

The Last Call In a bar, a last call (last orders) is an announcement made shortly before the bar closes for the night, informing patrons of their last chance to buy alcoholic beverages. There are various means to make the signal, like ringing a bell, flashin ...

'' (1922) *''

Find the Woman ''Find the Woman'' is a 1922 American silent mystery film directed by Tom Terriss and starring Alma Rubens. It was produced by Cosmopolitan Productions, owned by William Randolph Hearst, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film is based on ...

'' (1922) *'' John Smith'' (1922) as Lawyer *''

The Exciters ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1923) *''

The Custard Cup ''The Custard Cup'' is a 1923 American drama film directed by Herbert Brenon and written by G. Marion Burton and Ralph Spence. It is based on the 1921 novel ''The Custard Cup'' by Florence Bingham Livingston. The film stars Mary Carr, Myrta B ...

'' (1923) as Frank Bosley *''

The Devil's Partner ''The Devil's Partner'' is a 1923 American silent film directed by Caryl S. Fleming and starring Norma Shearer, Charles Delaney and Henry Sedley.Jacobs & Braum p.71 Cast * Norma Shearer as Jeanne * Charles Delaney as Pierre * Henry Sedle ...

'' (1923) as Henri, Jeanne's Father *'' The Broken Violin'' *''

For Another Woman ''For Another Woman'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by David Kirkland and starring Kenneth Harlan, Florence Billings, and Tyrone Power Sr. Synopsis A New York City wastrel inherits an estate in Canada. Cast Preservation A cop ...

'' (1924) *'' The Last Chord'' (1925) *'' The Fool'' (1925) *''

One Hour of Love ''One Hour of Love'' is a 1927 American silent romantic drama film directed by Robert Florey and starring Jacqueline Logan, Robert Frazer and Montagu Love.Munden p.568 It is now considered to be a lost film. The film's sets were designed by the ...

'' (1927) as Tom Webb *'' Married Alive'' (1927) as Max Ferbur *''

Blonde or Brunette ''Blonde or Brunette'' is a surviving 1927 silent film comedy directed by Richard Rosson, produced by Famous Players–Lasky and released by Paramount Pictures. It stars Adolphe Menjou, Greta Nissen and Arlette Marchal. Copy held at Library ...

'' (1927) as Turney *'' Million Dollar Mystery'' as Leo Braine *''

Web of Fate ''Web of Fate'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Dallas M. Fitzgerald and starring Lillian Rich, Henry Sedley and Eugene Strong.Langman & Finn p.296 Cast * Lillian Rich as Gloria Gunther / Beverly Townsend * Henry Sedley as ...

'' (1927) as Linton *''

Tropic Madness ''Tropic Madness'' is a 1928 American drama film directed by Robert G. Vignola Robert G. Vignola (born Rocco Giuseppe Vignola, August 7, 1882 – October 25, 1953) was an Italian- American actor, screenwriter, and film director. A former stag ...

'' (1928) as Johnson *''

His Last Haul ''His Last Haul'' is a 1928 American silent crime drama film directed by Marshall Neilan and starring Tom Moore, Seena Owen and Alan Roscoe.Munden p.353 Under a woman's guidance, a criminal attempts to reform. Cast * Tom Moore as Joe Hammond ...

'' (1928) as Blackmailer *'' The Racket'' (1928) as Spike *''

Fighting for Justice ''Fighting for Justice'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code Western film, directed by Otto Brower. It stars Tim McCoy and Joyce Compton. The Library of Congress has a copy of this feature.''Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection a ...

'' (1932) as Bull Barnard *''

Cockeyed Cavaliers ''Cockeyed Cavaliers'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy film starring the comedy duo of Wheeler & Woolsey. Directed by Mark Sandrich from a screenplay by Edward Kaufman, Grant Garrett, Ralph Spence and Ben Holmes. Also featured in the cast w ...

'' (1934) as The Baron's friend

References

American actors 1881 births 1962 deaths {{US-actor-stub