Stuart Armstrong Walker (March 4, 1888 - March 13, 1941) was an American producer and director in theatre and motion pictures.

Biography

Stuart Walker was born March 4, 1888, in

Augusta, Kentucky Augusta is a home rule-class city in Bracken County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is sited upon the southern bank of the Ohio River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,190. When Bracken County was organized in 1796, Augusta wa ...

, the son of Cliff Stuart Walker and Matilda Taliaferro Armstrong Walker. After attending public school in Cincinnati and graduating from the

University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 44,0 ...

, he went to work for

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 ...

and made his debut as an actor in 1909. He became a play reader for Belasco, and directed plays including '' The Governor's Lady'' (1912). In 1914 Walker joined

Jessie Bonstelle Jessie Bonstelle (born Laura Justine Bonesteel; November 18, 1871 – October 14, 1932) was an American theater director, actress, and drama company manager. Encouraged by her mother, she sang and performed in the theater from a young age; she w ...

as a director in Detroit and Buffalo. In 1915, Walker organized the Portmanteau Theatre, an independent repertory theatre company. He produced seasons in Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville and New York City. He staged the first dramatization of

Booth Tarkington Newton Booth Tarkington (July 29, 1869 – May 19, 1946) was an American novelist and dramatist best known for his novels '' The Magnificent Ambersons'' (1918) and '' Alice Adams'' (1921). He is one of only four novelists to win the Pulitz ...

's bestselling novel '' Seventeen'', presented on Broadway in 1918 starring Gregory Kelly and his future wife, newcomer

Ruth Gordon Ruth Gordon Jones (October 30, 1896 – August 28, 1985) was an American actress, screenwriter, and playwright. She began her career performing on Broadway at age 19. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, Gordon gained internati ...

. Walker's repertory company was active throughout the 1920s. Its credits include the first American performance of Alberto Casella's supernatural drama ''Death Takes a Holiday'', adapted by Walter Ferris, in 1929. In 1930, Walker became a screenwriter in Hollywood, and served as dialogue director on films including ''

Brothers A brother is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familia ...

'' and ''The Last of the Lone Wolf''. He directed his first feature film the following year, and in 1936 he became a producer for Paramount Pictures. Walker died March 13, 1941, at his home in

Beverly Hills 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. ...

, California, following a heart attack.

Filmography

Director

Producer

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Stuart 1888 births 1941 deaths American male actors American theatre directors American dramatists and playwrights Filmmakers from California People from Augusta, Kentucky American theatre managers and producers Film directors from Kentucky Film producers from Kentucky