Joseph J. Dowling

Joseph Johnson Dowling (September 4, 1850 – July 8, 1928) was an American stage and silent film actor.

Early life and career

Born in Pittsburgh, the son of James and Fredericka (''nee'' Edstrem) Dowling. His father was a native of Pennsylvania while his mother immigrated from Sweden. He had two siblings, Laura and James, both of whom predeceased Dowling.

As a young boy, Dowling served as a drummer in Company G of the 29th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War.

Dowling began his career on the stage and in vaudeville before he made his film debut in 1913 in ''Sleuthing''. He later appeared in many films with Charles Ray (with whom he appeared in five other features) and William S. Hart. He is best remembered for playing the Patriarch, one of four main characters, in the now lost film '' The Miracle Man'' (1919). Dowling continued to appear in major Hollywood silent productions including ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' (1921) with Mary Pickford, ''Quincy Adams Sawyer'' (1922) with Lon Chaney and Blanche Sweet, '' The Christian'' (1923) with Richard Dix and Mae Busch, '' One Night in Rome'' with Laurette Taylor and the Victor Fleming directed ''Lord Jim'' (1925).

Personal life

Dowling was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Sarah J. "Sadie" Hassen (''née'' Berry) born on May 29, 1853. The couple performed together in the play ''Nobody's Claim'', which was written specifically for them by Edwin A. Locke. The play was a hit and the two traveled around the United States performing it. They eventually settled in Mount Clemens, Michigan, in 1886. They had a son, Joseph F., in September 1890, and divorced in 1893. He later married actress Myra L. Davis to whom he remained married until his death.

Death

Dowling died on July 8, 1928, in Hollywood. He was survived by his second wife, Myra, and his son from his first marriage.

Selected filmography

*'' The Bargain'' (1914)
*''The Beckoning Flame'' (1915)
*''The Stepping Stone'' (1916)
*'' Somewhere in France'' (1916)
*''The Gunfighter'' (1917)
*''Sudden Jim'' (1917)
*''The Yankee Way'' (1917)
* '' Paddy O'Hara'' (1917)
* '' The Iced Bullet'' (1917)
*'' Wooden Shoes'' (1917)
*'' The Pinch Hitter'' (1917)
*''Alimony'' (1917)
*'' Madam Who?'' (1918)
* '' A Law Unto Herself'' (1918)
*''Patriotism'' (1918)
* '' An Alien Enemy'' (1918)
*'' Maid o' the Storm'' (1918)
*'' A Man's Man'' (1918)
* ''With Hoops of Steel'' (1918)
* ''The Ghost of the Rancho'' (1918)
*'' Humdrum Brown'' (1918)
* '' One Dollar Bid'' (1918)
*'' His Robe of Honor'' (1918)
*''Blindfolded'' (1918)
*''A Little Sister of Everybody'' (1918)
*'' The Bells'' (1918)
*'' All of a Sudden Norma'' (1919)
*''The Midnight Stage'' (1919)
*''Adele'' (1919)
* ''A White Man's Chance'' (1919)
*'' Kitty Kelly, M.D.'' (1919)
* '' The Lord Loves the Irish'' (1919)
*'' The Miracle Man'' (1919)
*'' Her Purchase Price'' (1919)
*'' The False Code'' (1919)
*'' The Master Man'' (1919)
*'' Todd of the Times'' (1919)
*'' The Joyous Liar'' (1919)
*''Big Happiness

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