Samuel Alfred De Grasse (June 12, 1875 – November 29, 1953) was a

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source o ...

actor. He was the uncle of

cinematographer The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the photographing or recording of a film, television production, music video or other live action piece. The cinematographer is the ch ...

Robert De Grasse Robert De Grasse (February 9, 1900 – January 28, 1971) was an American cinematographer and member of the American Society of Cinematographers. Over the course of his career, he was nominated for an Academy Award in 1939 and a Primetime Emmy Aw ...

Biography

Samuel Alfred De Grasse was born in Bathurst,

New Brunswick New Brunswick (french: Nouveau-Brunswick, , locally ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It is the only province with both English and ...

to Lange De Grasse (1828–1891) and Helene ( Comeau; 1836-?), both of

French-Canadian French Canadians (referred to as Canadiens mainly before the twentieth century; french: Canadiens français, ; feminine form: , ), or Franco-Canadians (french: Franco-Canadiens), refers to either an ethnic group who trace their ancestry to Fre ...

descent. He trained to be a dentist, and married Annie McDonnell in 1904. Their daughter, Clementine Bell, was born in 1906. Annie died in 1909 while giving birth to another daughter, Olive, who also died. In 1910, Samuel was practicing dentistry and he and his daughter Clementine were living in Providence, Rhode Island along with his older sister, Mrs. Clementine Fauchy, and her 14-year-old son, Jerome Fauchy. He married British actress Ada Fuller Golden and became a step-father to her three children. His own elder brother,

Joe Joe or JOE may refer to: Arts Film and television * ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle * ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage * ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from 1966 to 1971 * ''Joe'', a 2002 Canadian animated ...

, went into the fledgling movie business and Sam decided to also give it a try. He traveled to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

and, in 1912, he appeared in his first motion picture. At first he played standard secondary characters such as Dr. Robert Armstrong in ''

Blind Husbands ''Blind Husbands'' is a 1919 American drama film written and directed by Erich von Stroheim. The film is an adaptation of the story ''The Pinnacle'' by Stroheim. Plot A group of holiday-makers arrive at Cortina d'Ampezzo, an Alpine village in th ...

'' (1919), but when fellow Canadian

Mary Pickford Gladys Marie Smith (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979), known professionally as Mary Pickford, was a Canadian-American stage and screen actress and producer with a career that spanned five decades. A pioneer in the US film industry, she co-founde ...

set up her own studio with her husband

Douglas Fairbanks Douglas Elton Fairbanks Sr. (born Douglas Elton Thomas Ullman; May 23, 1883 – December 12, 1939) was an American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer. He was best known for his swashbuckling roles in silent films including '' The Thi ...

, he joined them. He portrayed the villainous Prince John in

' 1922 ''

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archery, archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he ...

''. Afterward, he began to specialize in crafty or slimy villainous roles, such as Senator Charles Summer in ''

The Birth of a Nation ''The Birth of a Nation'', originally called ''The Clansman'', is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play ''The Cla ...

'' (1915), the mill owner Arthur Jenkins in ''

Intolerance Intolerance may refer to: * Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usual ...

'' (1916), John Carver in ''

The Courtship of Miles Standish ''The Courtship of Miles Standish'' is an 1858 narrative poem by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about the early days of Plymouth Colony, the colonial settlement established in America by the ''Mayflower'' Pilgrims. Overview ''T ...

'' (1923), Colonel Lestron in '' The Eagle of the Sea'' (1926), a

pirate Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and other valuable goods. Those who conduct acts of piracy are called pirates, v ...

lieutenant in ''

The Black Pirate ''The Black Pirate'' is a 1926 American silent action adventure film shot entirely in two-color Technicolor about an adventurer and a "company" of pirates. Directed by Albert Parker, it stars Douglas Fairbanks, Donald Crisp, Sam De Grasse, a ...

'' (1926), a

Pharisee The Pharisees (; he, פְּרוּשִׁים, Pərūšīm) were a Jewish social movement and a school of thought in the Levant during the time of Second Temple Judaism. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Pharisaic beliefs bec ...

in '' The King of Kings'' (1927) and King James in ''

The Man Who Laughs ''The Man Who Laughs'' (also published under the title ''By Order of the King'' from its subtitle in French) is a novel by Victor Hugo, originally published in April 1869 under the French title ''L'Homme qui rit''. It takes place in England beg ...

'' (1928). Mary Pickford named him as one of her favorite stars. In the 1960s,

Jackie Coogan John Leslie Coogan (October 26, 1914 – March 1, 1984) was an American actor and comedian who began his film career as a child actor in silent films. Charlie Chaplin's film classic '' The Kid'' (1921) made him one of the first child stars in th ...

claimed

Jean Harlow Jean Harlow (born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters, she was the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s and one of the defining figures of the ...

had lived in De Grasse's apartment for two years and was married to him when she was 16. At the time both de Grasse and Harlow were deceased. The claim was untrue -- Harlow was married to Charles McGrew when she was 16. However, she did appear as an extra in the film '' Honor Bound'' (1928), in which De Grasse played "Blood Keller".

Death

De Grasse lived on the west coast until his death at age 78 in

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

from a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

during his sleep. He is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 U.S. Census the population was 196,543, up from 191,719 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth-larges ...

Selected filmography

* ''

'' (1915) - Sen. Charles Sumner (uncredited) * ''A Man and His Mate'' (1915) - Choo * ''A Child of God'' (1915) - Jim MacPherson * ''

Martyrs of the Alamo ''Martyrs of the Alamo'' (also known as ''The Birth of Texas'') is a 1915 American historical war drama film written and directed by Christy Cabanne. The film is based on the historical novel of the same name by Theodosia Harris, and features a ...

'' (1915) - Silent Smith * ''Cross Currents'' (1915) - Silas Randolph * ''The Price of Power'' (1916) - James Garwood * ''

Acquitted In common law jurisdictions, an acquittal certifies that the accused is free from the charge of an offense, as far as criminal law is concerned. The finality of an acquittal is dependent on the jurisdiction. In some countries, such as the ...

'' (1916) - Ira Wolcott * ''

The Good Bad-Man ''The Good Bad-Man'' is a 1916 American silent Western film directed by Allan Dwan. The film was written by Douglas Fairbanks, and produced by Fairbanks and the Fine Arts Film Company. It stars Fairbanks and Bessie Love. The film was origina ...

'' (1916) - The Wolf / Bud Frazer * '' An Innocent Magdalene'' (1916) - Forbes Stewart * ''

The Half-Breed ''The Half-Breed'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Stuart Gilmore and written by Harold Shumate, Richard Wormser and Charles Hoffman. The film stars Robert Young, Janis Carter, Jack Buetel, Barton MacLane, Reed Hadley and Port ...

'' (1916) - Sheriff Dunn * ''

'' (1916) - Arthur Jenkins * '' Diane of the Follies'' (1916) - Phillips Christy * '' The Children of the Feud'' (1916) - Dr. Richard Cavanagh * '' Jim Bludso'' (1917) - Ben Merrill * '' Her Official Fathers'' (1917) - Ethan Dexter * '' An Old-Fashioned Young Man'' (1917) - Harold T. King * ''

Madame Bo-Peep ''Madame Bo-Peep'' is a 1917 American silent comedy film directed by Chester Withey and starring Seena Owen, Allan Sears, and F.A. Turner. It is based on the short story "Madame Bo-Peep of the Ranches" by O. Henry William Sydney Porter (S ...

'' (1917) - Jose Alvarez * '' Wild and Woolly'' (1917) - Steve Shelby - Indian Agent * '' The Empty Gun'' (1917, Short) - Jim * '' Anything Once'' (1917) - Herbert Wendling * ''

The Winged Mystery ''The Winged Mystery'' is a 1917 American silent war film directed by Joseph De Grasse and starring Franklyn Farnum, Claire Du Brey and Rosemary Theby.Connelly p.435 Cast * Franklyn Farnum as Capt. August Sieger / Louis Siever * Claire Du Brey as ...

'' (1917) - Mortimer Eddington * ''

The Scarlet Car ''The Scarlet Car'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney, Edith Johnson and Franklyn Farnum. The film was written by William Parker, based upon the novel ''The Scarlet Car'' by Richard Harding ...

'' (1917) - Ernest Peabody * ''Six-Shooter Andy'' (1918) - Tom Slade * '' Brace Up'' (1918) - National Jim * '' The Guilt of Silence'' (1918) - Gambler Joe * ''The Mortgaged Wife'' (1918) - Meyer * '' Smashing Through'' (1918) - Earl Foster * '' Winner Takes All'' (1918) - Mark Thorne * '' A Woman's Fool'' (1918) - Minor Role * '' A Law Unto Herself'' (1918) - Kurt Von Klassner * '' The Narrow Path'' (1918) - Malcolm Dion * '' The Hope Chest'' (1918) - Ballantyne, Sr. * '' Sis Hopkins'' (1919) - Vibert * ''The Silk-Lined Burglar'' (1919) - Boston Blackie * ''

The Exquisite Thief ''The Exquisite Thief'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Tod Browning. Prints and/or fragments were found in the Dawson Film Find in 1978. Plot As described in a film magazine, Blue Jean Billie (Dean), a prosperous young woman ...

'' (1919) - Shaver Michael * ''

Heart o' the Hills ''Heart o' the Hills'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Joseph De Grasse and Sidney Franklin, written by Bernard McConville based on John Fox, Jr.'s novel of the same name. Plot Jason Honeycutt ( Harold Goodwin) is a young b ...

'' (1919) - Steve Honeycutt * ''

'' (1919) - The Husband, Dr. Robert Armstrong * '' Uncharted Channels'' (1920) - Nicholas Schonnn * '' Moon Madness'' (1920) - Adrien * '' The Devil's Pass Key'' (1920) - Warren Goodwright * ''

The Skywayman ''The Skywayman'' was a 1920 American silent action drama film directed by James P. Hogan and produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation. The film starred noted aerial stunt pilot Ormer Locklear and Louise Lovely. After having appeared i ...

'' (1920) - Dr. Wayne Leveridge * '' The Little Grey Mouse'' (1920) - John Cumberland * '' Unseen Forces'' (1920) - Captain Stanley * '' The Broken Gate'' (1920) - 'Hod' Brooks * '' The Cheater Reformed'' (1921) - Thomas Edinburgh * ''

Courage Courage (also called bravery or valor) is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valor is courage or bravery, especially in battle. Physical courage is bravery in the face of physical pain, ...

'' (1921) - Stephan Blackmoore * '' A Wife's Awakening'' (1921) - George Otis * ''

'' (1922) - Prince John * '' Forsaking All Others'' (1922) - Dr. Mason * '' Slippy McGee'' (1923) - Father De Rance * ''

Circus Days ''Circus Days'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film starring child actor Jackie Coogan, directed by Eddie Cline, produced by Sol Lesser and Jackie Coogan's own production company, and distributed through Associated First National Pictures. ...

'' (1923) - Lord * '' The Spoilers'' (1923) - Judge Stillman * ''

A Prince of a King ''A Prince of a King'' is a 1923 American silent historical adventure film directed by Albert Austin and starring Dean Riesner, Virginia Pearson and Eric Mayne.Connelly p.398 Synopsis In a kingdom in fifteenth century Italy, Duke Roberto overt ...

'' (1923) - Duke Roberto * '' The Dancer of the Nile'' (1923) - Pasheri * ''

In the Palace of the King ''In the Palace of the King'' is a 1923 American silent historical romantic drama film based on the novel of the same name by F. Marion Crawford. Directed by Emmett J. Flynn, the film stars Blanche Sweet, Pauline Starke, and Edmund Lowe. A p ...

'' (1923) - King Philip II * '' Tiger Rose'' (1923) - Dr. Cusick * ''

'' (1923) - John Carver * '' Painted People'' (1924) - Henry Parrish * '' Pagan Passions'' (1924) - Frank Langley * '' A Self-Made Failure'' (1924) - Cyrus Cruikshank * '' The Virgin'' (1924) - Ricardo Ruiz * ''On the Threshold'' (1925) - Daniel Masters * '' The Mansion of Aching Hearts'' (1925) - Martin Craig * '' One Year to Live'' (1925) - Dr. Lucien La Pierre * ''

Sun-Up ''Sun-Up'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Edmund Goulding based upon a successful 1924 play of the same name by Lula Vollmer. The film stars Lucille La Verne, replaying her successful New York stage role, Pauline Starke, and C ...

'' (1925) - Sheriff Weeks * '' Heir-Loons'' (1925) * '' Sally, Irene and Mary'' (1925) - Officer O'Dare * '' Mike'' (1926) - Brush * ''

'' (1926) - Pirate Lieutenant * '' Her Second Chance'' (1926) - Beachey * '' Broken Hearts of Hollywood'' (1926) - Defense Attorney * '' The Eagle of the Sea'' (1926) - Col. Lestron * '' Love's Blindness'' (1926) - Benjamin Levy * ''

When a Man Loves ''When a Man Loves'' is a 1927 American silent historical drama film directed by Alan Crosland and produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The picture stars John Barrymore and features Dolores Costello in the frequently filmed story of Abbe P ...

'' (1927) - Comte Guillot de Morfontaine * ''

King of Kings King of Kings; grc-gre, Βασιλεὺς Βασιλέων, Basileùs Basiléōn; hy, արքայից արքա, ark'ayits ark'a; sa, महाराजाधिराज, Mahārājadhirāja; ka, მეფეთ მეფე, ''Mepet mepe'' ...

'' (1927) - Pharisee * '' Captain Salvation'' (1927) - Peter Campbell * '' The Fighting Eagle'' (1927) - Talleyrand * '' The Country Doctor'' (1927) - Ira Harding * ''

The Wreck of the Hesperus "The Wreck of the Hesperus" is a narrative poem by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in ''Ballads and Other Poems'' in 1842. It is a story that presents the tragic consequences of a skipper's pride. On an ill-fated voyag ...

'' (1927) - Capt. David Slocum * ''

'' (1928) - King James II * '' Honor Bound'' (1928) - Blood Keller * '' The Racket'' (1928) - District Attorney Welch * ''

Our Dancing Daughters ''Our Dancing Daughters'' is a 1928 American silent drama film starring Joan Crawford and John Mack Brown about the "loosening of youth morals" that took place during the 1920s. The film was directed by Harry Beaumont and produced by Hunt S ...

'' (1928) - Freddie's Father * ''Dog Law'' (1928) - Minor Role (uncredited) * '' The Farmer's Daughter'' (1928) - (uncredited) * '' Silks and Saddles'' (1929) - William Morrissey * ''

The Last Performance ''The Last Performance'' is a 1929 American film directed by Paul Fejos and starring Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin. The film was made in two version: a silent version and Movietone version complete with music, talking sequences, and sound effect ...

'' (1929) - District Attorney * ''

Wall Street Wall Street is an eight-block-long street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City. It runs between Broadway in the west to South Street and the East River in the east. The term "Wall Street" has become a metonym for t ...

'' (1929) - John Willard * '' Captain of the Guard'' (1930) - Bazin (final film role)

References

External links

* * De Grasse a
Northernstars.ca
{{DEFAULTSORT:Degrasse, Sam Canadian male silent film actors Canadian male film actors Male actors from New Brunswick 1875 births 1953 deaths People from Bathurst, New Brunswick Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) 20th-century Canadian male actors Canadian expatriate male actors in the United States

Biography

Death

Selected filmography

See also

References

External links