William Courtright (February 10, 1848 – March 6, 1933) was an American film actor.

Early years

He was born Theodore Courtright in

New Milford, Illinois New Milford is a village in Winnebago County, Illinois, United States on the south bank of the Kishwaukee River overlooking the south side of Rockford. It is part of the Rockford, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 697 ...

, and was educated in the public schools of

Ione, California Ione ( ) is a city in Amador County, California. The population was 7,918 at the 2010 census, up from 7,129 in 2000. Once known as " Bed-Bug" and "Freeze Out," Ione was an important supply center on the main road to the Mother Lode and Southern ...

. When he was 16, he ran away from home to join a stock theater company.

Career

Courtright's acting career began with Shakespearean plays, as he worked with

Lawrence Barrett Lawrence Barrett (April 4, 1838 – March 20, 1891) was an American stage actor. Biography A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Barrett was born in 1838 to Mary Agnes (née Read) Barrett and tailor Thomas Barrett, Irish immigrants who had settle ...

. Before entering the film industry, he appeared in

minstrel show The minstrel show, also called minstrelsy, was an American form of racist theatrical entertainment developed in the early 19th century. Each show consisted of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances that depicted people spe ...

s. He made a world tour as a minstrel, with the tour's activities including performing before King Edward VII. Sometimes billed as Billy Courtright, he appeared in 68 films between 1912 and 1930. He worked with D. W. Griffith and in his later career at the Hal Roach Studios, where he appeared in several early

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...

comedies. Courtright was still acting at age 80. An item in the October 28, 1928, edition of ''

The Cincinnati Enquirer ''The Cincinnati Enquirer'' is a morning daily newspaper published by Gannett in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. First published in 1841, the ''Enquirer'' is the last remaining daily newspaper in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, alth ...

'' described him as "the oldest living motion-picture actor on the screen ..." His best-known role was

Oliver Hardy Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy; January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his c ...

's wealthy Uncle Bernal in '' That's My Wife'' (1929). His last film, the

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...

comedy ''

Teacher's Pet Teacher's pet is a person that has an advantageous position compared to other students, where the teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or v ...

'', was also his first sound film.

Personal life

In 1873, Courtright married actress Jennie Lee, and they worked together in vaudeville for 12 years as Courtright and Lee. They also appeared together 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 ...

''. Courtright died in Ione, California.

Partial filmography

* '' If We Only Knew'' (1913) * ''

The Ranchero's Revenge ''The Ranchero's Revenge'' is a 1913 American short silent Western film directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Lionel Barrymore as The Ranchero * Harry Carey as The Schemer * Claire McDowell as The Schemer's Associate * Clarence Barr as The C ...

'' (1913) * ''

In Diplomatic Circles ''In Diplomatic Circles'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Walter Miller as The Reporter * William J. Butler as The Father * Constance Johnson as The Daughter * Charles West as The Lover * Lionel Barrymore as The ...

'' (1913) * ''

The Sorrowful Shore ''The Sorrowful Shore'' is a 1913 American drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Harry Carey as The Widowed Father * W. Christy Cabanne as The Son * Olive Carey as The Orphan (as Olive Fuller Golden) * Frank Opperman as The Orphan's ...

'' (1913) * ''

The Enemy's Baby ''The Enemy's Baby'' is a 1913 American drama film, possibly directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Lionel Barrymore as Ben Brown * William J. Butler as Sam Miller, the Grandfather * Kate Bruce as Sam Miller's Wife * Harry Carey as Miller * Clai ...

'' (1913) * ''

'' (1916) * ''

The Deciding Kiss ''The Deciding Kiss'' is a 1918 American comedy film directed by Tod Browning. The film was considered a lost film for decades. A print was discovered at the French archive Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée in Fort de Bois-d'Arcy. ...

'' (1918) * ''

Hitting the High Spots ''Hitting the High Spots'' is a 1918 American silent comedy-drama film, directed by Charles Swickard. It stars Bert Lytell, Eileen Percy, and Winter Hall, and was released on December 9, 1918. Cast list *Bert Lytell as Bob Durland *Eileen Percy ...

'' (1918) * '' Hard Boiled'' (1919) * ''

Ace of the Saddle ''Ace of the Saddle'' is a 1919 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost. Plot As described in a film magazine, Cheyenne Harry Henderson (Carey) owns a cattle ranch on th ...

'' (1919) * '' The Jailbird'' (1920) * ''

The Blooming Angel ''The Blooming Angel'' is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Madge Kennedy, Pat O'Malley, and Margery Wilson.Parish & Pitts p.336 Cast * Madge Kennedy as Floss * Pat O'Malley as Chester Framm * ...

'' (1920) * '' 45 Minutes from Broadway'' (1920) * '' The Speed Girl'' (1921) * '' The Millionaire'' (1921) * ''

Man Under Cover ''Man Under Cover'' is a 1922 American crime film directed by Tod Browning and starring Herbert Rawlinson and George Hernandez. A copy of ''Man Under Cover'' is housed at the Museum of Modern Art. Plot As described in a film magazine, Paul Port ...

'' (1922) * ''

At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern ''At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern '' is a 1922 American silent comedy drama film directed by Lloyd Ingraham, who co-wrote the film adaption with David Kirkland. It stars Betty Ross Clarke, Earl Schenck, and Wade Boteler. The film is today con ...

'' (1922) * ''

Bell Boy 13 ''Bell Boy 13'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by William A. Seiter, and starring Douglas MacLean, John Steppling, Margaret Loomis, William Courtright, Emily Gerdes, and Eugene Burr. The film was released by First National Pict ...

'' (1923) * ''

The Girl I Loved ''The Girl I Loved'' is a 1923 American drama silent film directed by Joe De Grasse and written by Albert Ray. The film stars Charles Ray, Patsy Ruth Miller, Ramsey Wallace, Edythe Chapman and William Courtright. The film was released on Feb ...

'' (1923) * '' A Man of Action'' (1923) * '' The Heart Buster'' (1924) * ''

Are Parents People? ''Are Parents People?'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film starring Betty Bronson, Florence Vidor, Adolphe Menjou, George Beranger, and Lawrence Gray Lawrence Gray (July 28, 1898 – February 2, 1970) was an American actor of the 1 ...

'' (1925) * ''

The Trouble with Wives ''The Trouble with Wives'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair, written by Sada Cowan and Howard Higgin, and starring Florence Vidor, Tom Moore, Esther Ralston, Ford Sterling, Lucy Beaumont, and Edgar Kennedy. ...

'' (1925) * ''

Some Pun'kins ''Some Pun'kins'' is a 1925 American silent comedy drama film directed by Jerome Storm and starring Charles Ray, Duane Thompson, and George Fawcett. It is also known by the alternative title of ''The Farmer's Boy''. Plot As described in a re ...

'' (1925) * ''

Thank You "''Thank you''" (often expanded to ''thank you very much'' or ''thanks a lot'', or informally abbreviated to ''thanks'' or alternately as ''many thanks''Geoffrey Leech, ''The Pragmatics of Politeness'' (2014), p. 200.) is a common expression of ...

'' (1925) * ''

All Around Frying Pan ''All Around Frying Pan'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by David Kirkland and starring Fred Thomson, James A. Marcus James A. Marcus (January 21, 1867 – October 15, 1937) was an American actor. He appeared in more t ...

'' (1925) * ''

The Nickel-Hopper ''The Nickel-Hopper'' is a 1926 American short silent comedy film starring Mabel Normand and featuring Oliver Hardy and Boris Karloff in minor uncredited roles. Cast * Mabel Normand as Paddy, the nickel hopper * Michael Visaroff as Paddy's fa ...

'' (1926) * '' The Tough Guy'' (1926) * ''

A Regular Scout ''A Regular Scout'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by David Kirkland and starring Fred Thomson, Olive Hasbrouck, and William Courtright William Courtright (February 10, 1848 – March 6, 1933) was an American film acto ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Two-Gun Man ''The Two-Gun Man'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by David Kirkland and starring Fred Thomson, Spottiswoode Aitken and Olive Hasbrouck. Plot A returning World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), ofte ...

'' (1926) * ''

Lone Hand Saunders ''Lone Hand Saunders'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring Fred Thomson, Bess Flowers, and Frank Hagney.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 266 Cast * Fred Thomson as Fred Saunders ...

'' (1926) * ''

For Wives Only ''For Wives Only'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Victor Heerman and starring Marie Prevost, Victor Varconi and Charles K. Gerrard.Munden p.265 Cast * Marie Prevost as Laura Rittenhaus * Victor Varconi as Dr. Rittenhaus * ...

'' (1926) * '' Hands Across the Border'' (1926) * ''

On the Front Page ''On the Front Page'' is a 1926 American comedy film featuring Stan Laurel. Plot After being beaten to a scandalous story involving Countess Polasky (Rich), newspaper editor James W. Hornby (Davis) assigns his son (Brooke) 24 hours to find an ...

'' (1926) * ''

Don Mike ''Don Mike'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Fred Thomson, Ruth Clifford and Noah Young.Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema p.266 It is set in Old California. Cast * Fred Thomson as Don ...

'' (1927) * '' Duck Soup'' (1927) * '' Arizona Nights'' (1927) * ''

Silver Comes Through ''Silver Comes Through'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Fred Thomson, Edna Murphy, and William Courtright.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 266 Cast * Fred Thomson as Fred * E ...

'' (1927) * '' The Glorious Fourth'' (1927) * ''

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained stro ...

'' (1927) * '' The Pioneer Scout'' (1928) * ''

The Sunset Legion ''The Sunset Legion'' is a lost 1928 American silent Western film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and Alfred L. Werker, written by Garrett Graham and Frances Marion, and starring Fred Thomson, Edna Murphy, William Courtright, and Harry Woods. It w ...

'' (1928) * '' That's My Wife'' (1929)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Courtright, William 1848 births 1933 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors Male actors from Illinois People from Winnebago County, Illinois 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American politicians