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

Early life and career

Born in

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

, the son of James and Fredericka (''nee'' Edstrem) Dowling. His father was a native of

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

while his mother immigrated from

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

. 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. Joseph J

Dowling began his career on the stage and in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

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 William Surrey Hart (December 6, 1864 – June 23, 1946) was an American silent film actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He is remembered as a foremost Western star of the silent era who "imbued all of his characters with honor and integ ...

. He is best remembered for playing the Patriarch, one of four main characters, in the now

lost Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography *Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland * Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have bee ...

film '' The Miracle Man'' (1919). Dowling continued to appear in major Hollywood silent productions including ''

Little Lord Fauntleroy ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published as a serial in '' St. Nicholas Magazine'' from November 1885 to October 1886, then as a book by Scribner's (the publisher of ''St. Nicholas'') in 1886. The ill ...

'' (1921) with

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 ...

, ''

Quincy Adams Sawyer ''Quincy Adams Sawyer'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Clarence G. Badger. Distributed by Metro Pictures, the film is written by Bernard McConville, based on the 1900 novel ''Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks'', wr ...

'' (1922) with Lon Chaney and

Blanche Sweet Sarah Blanche Sweet (June 18, 1896 – September 6, 1986) was an American silent film actress who began her career in the earliest days of the Hollywood motion picture film industry. Early life Born Sarah Blanche Sweet (though her first na ...

, '' The Christian'' (1923) with

Richard Dix Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'strong ...

and

Mae Busch Mae Busch (born Annie May Busch; 18 June 1891 – 20 April 1946) was an Australian-born actress who worked in both silent and sound films in early Hollywood. In the latter part of her career she appeared in many Laurel and Hardy comedies, freque ...

, ''

One Night in Rome ''One Night in Rome'' is a 1924 American silent drama film starring Laurette Taylor. The film was directed by Clarence G. Badger and written by J. Hartley Manners, Ms. Taylor's husband, based upon his play of the same name. Laurette Taylor was a ...

'' with

Laurette Taylor Laurette Taylor (born Loretta Helen Cooney; April 1, 1883Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Roll: 1119; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 859; FHL microfilm: 1241119. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 Un ...

and the

Victor Fleming Victor Lonzo Fleming (February 23, 1889 – January 6, 1949) was an American film director, cinematographer, and producer. His most popular films were ''Gone with the Wind (film), Gone with the Wind'', for which he won an Academy Award for Best ...

directed ''

Lord Jim ''Lord Jim'' is a novel by Joseph Conrad originally published as a serial in ''Blackwood's Magazine'' from October 1899 to November 1900. An early and primary event in the story is the abandonment of a passenger ship in distress by its crew, i ...

'' (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 Mount Clemens is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 16,314 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. It is the county seat, seat of government of Macomb County, Michigan, Macomb County. History Mount Clemens was first s ...

, 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 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) * Hollywood, ...

. He was survived by his second wife, Myra, and his son from his first marriage.

Selected filmography

*'' The Bargain'' (1914) *''

The Beckoning Flame ''The Beckoning Flame'' is a 1915 American silent drama film directed by Charles Swickard and featuring Henry Woodruff, Tsuru Aoki, and Rhea Mitchell in pivotal roles. Cast * Henry Woodruff as Harry Dickson *Tsuru Aoki as Janira *Rhea Mitchell as ...

'' (1915) *''

The Stepping Stone ''The Stepping Stone'' is a 1916 American silent drama film, directed by Reginald Barker and Thomas H. Ince. It is a lost film.The Apostle of Vengeance ''The Apostle of Vengeance'' is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Clifford Smith and starring William S. Hart, Nona Thomas, and John Gilbert. A Kentucky-born preacher returns home from Vermont in order to settle a feud between two w ...

'' (1916) *''

Somewhere in France ''Somewhere in France'' is a 1916 silent era war espionage drama motion picture starring Louise Glaum and Howard C. Hickman. Directed by Charles Giblyn and produced by Thomas H. Ince, the screenplay was adapted by J. G. Hawks based on the 1915 ...

'' (1916) *''

The Gunfighter ''The Gunfighter'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Henry King and starring Gregory Peck, Helen Westcott, Millard Mitchell and Karl Malden. It was written by screenwriters William Bowers and William Sellers, with an uncredited rewr ...

'' (1917) *'' Sudden Jim'' (1917) *''

The Yankee Way ''The Yankee Way'' is a 1917 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Richard Stanton and starring George Walsh, Enid Markey and Joseph J. Dowling.Solomon p.242 Cast * George Walsh as Dick Mason * Enid Markey as Princess Alexia * Jose ...

'' (1917) * '' Paddy O'Hara'' (1917) * ''

The Iced Bullet ''The Iced Bullet'' is a 1917 American silent mystery film directed by Reginald Barker and starring William Desmond, Robert McKim and J. Barney Sherry.Langman p.183 The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Brunton. Cast * W ...

'' (1917) *''

Wooden Shoes Clogs are a type of footwear made in part or completely from wood. Used in many parts of the world, their forms can vary by culture, but often remained unchanged for centuries within a culture. Traditional clogs remain in use as protective fo ...

'' (1917) *'' The Pinch Hitter'' (1917) *''

Alimony Alimony, also called aliment (Scotland), maintenance (England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Canada, New Zealand), spousal support (U.S., Canada) and spouse maintenance (Australia), is a legal obligation on a person to provide financial suppo ...

'' (1917) *''

Madam Who? ''Madam Who?'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Reginald Barker and starring Bessie Barriscale. It was produced by Paralta Plays and distributed through W. W. Hodkinson Corporation and the General Film Company. Survives in the Lib ...

'' (1918) * ''

A Law Unto Herself ''A Law Unto Herself'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Wallace Worsley and starring Louise Glaum, Sam De Grasse and Joseph J. Dowling. Cast * Louise Glaum as Alouette DeLarme * Sam De Grasse as Kurt Von Klassner * Joseph J. Do ...

'' (1918) *''

Patriotism Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and sense of attachment to one's country. This attachment can be a combination of many different feelings, language relating to one's own homeland, including ethnic, cultural, political or histor ...

'' (1918) * ''

An Alien Enemy ''An Alien Enemy'' is a 1918 American silent war drama film directed by Wallace Worsley and starring Louise Glaum, Mary Jane Irving and Thurston Hall.Slide p.85 Cast * Louise Glaum as Neysa von Igel / Frau Meyer * Mary Jane Irving as Fräulein B ...

'' (1918) *''

Maid o' the Storm ''Maid o' the Storm'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Raymond B. West and starring Bessie Barriscale, George Fisher and Herschel Mayall.Spehr & Lundquist p.394 The film takes place in Scotland and London. Cast * Bessie Barris ...

'' (1918) *'' A Man's Man'' (1918) * '' With Hoops of Steel'' (1918) * ''

The Ghost of the Rancho ''The Ghost of the Rancho'' is a 1918 American silent Western film directed by William Worthington and starring Bryant Washburn, Rhea Mitchell and Joseph J. Dowling. Cast * Bryant Washburn as Jeffrey Wall * Rhea Mitchell as Mary Drew * Jo ...

'' (1918) *''

Humdrum Brown ''Humdrum Brown'' is a 1918 American silent comedy drama film directed by Rex Ingram and starring Henry B. Walthall, Mary Charleson and Dorothy Clark (actress), Dorothy Clark.Gmür p.295 Cast * Henry B. Walthall as Hector 'Humdrum' Brown * Mar ...

'' (1918) * ''

One Dollar Bid ''One Dollar Bid'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Lois Wilson and Leatrice Joy. Cast * J. Warren Kerrigan as Toby * Lois Wilson as Virginia Dare * Joseph J. Dowling as Colonel ...

'' (1918) *''

His Robe of Honor ''His Robe of Honor'' is a 1918 American silent film, silent crime film, crime drama film directed by Rex Ingram (director), Rex Ingram and starring Henry B. Walthall, Mary Charleson and Lois Wilson (actress), Lois Wilson.Gmür p.288 The film's s ...

'' (1918) *'' Blindfolded'' (1918) *''

A Little Sister of Everybody ''A Little Sister of Everybody'', sometimes called ''A Little Sister ''to'' Everybody'', is a 1918 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Robert Thornby and starring Bessie Love and George Fisher. It was produced by Anderson-Brunton Comp ...

'' (1918) *'' The Bells'' (1918) *'' All of a Sudden Norma'' (1919) *''

The Midnight Stage ''The Midnight Stage'' is a 1919 silent film western directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring Frank Keenan. It was distributed by the Pathé Exchange company. Cast * Frank Keenan as John Lynch/Bige Rivers * Mignon Anderson as Mary Lynch * Ch ...

'' (1919) *''

Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (, ; born 5 May 1988), professionally known by the mononym Adele, is an English singer and songwriter. After graduating in arts from the BRIT School in 2006, Adele signed a reco ...

'' (1919) * ''

A White Man's Chance ''A White Man's Chance'' is a 1919 American silent film, silent adventure film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Lillian Walker and Joseph J. Dowling.Goble p.1015 Synopsis A Boston lawyer heads to Mexico for work and so ...

'' (1919) *''

Kitty Kelly, M.D. ''Kitty Kelly, M.D.'' is a 1919 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Howard Hickman and starring Bessie Barriscale, Jack Holt and Joseph J. Dowling.Gmür p.381 Cast * Bessie Barriscale as Dr. Kitty Kelly * Jack Holt as Bob Lang * J ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Lord Loves the Irish ''The Lord Loves the Irish'' is a 1919 American silent film, silent comedy film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Aggie Herring and James O. Barrows.Gmür p.381 Cast * J. Warren Kerrigan as Miles Machree * Aggie Herring ...

'' (1919) *'' The Miracle Man'' (1919) *''

Her Purchase Price ''Her Purchase Price'' is a lost 1919 silent film romance distributed by newly formed Robertson-Cole. It was directed by Howard C. Hickman and starred Bessie Barriscale. Plot As described in a film magazine, Sir Derek Anstruther (Roscoe) while ...

'' (1919) *''

The False Code ''The False Code'' is a lost 1919 American silent drama film directed by Ernest C. Warde and produced by and starring Frank Keenan. It was distributed by Pathé Exchange. Cast *Frank Keenan as John Benton * Miles McCarthy as Henry Vance *Joseph J ...

'' (1919) *'' The Master Man'' (1919) *''

Todd of the Times ''Todd of the Times'' is a lost 1919 American silent comedy film directed by Eliot Howe and starring Frank Keenan, Charles A. Post, and Aggie Herring Agnes Herring (February 4, 1876 – October 28, 1939) was an American actress. She a ...

'' (1919) *''

The Joyous Liar ''The Joyous Liar'' is a 1919 American silent comedy film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Lillian Walker, and Joseph J. Dowling.Flowers & Frizler p.314 Cast * J. Warren Kerrigan as Burke Harlan * Lillian Walker as ...

'' (1919) *'' Big Happiness'' (1920) *'' Everybody's Sweetheart'' (1920) *''

A Splendid Hazard ''A Splendid Hazard'' is a 1920 American silent film, silent drama film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Henry B. Walthall. The film is based on the 1910 book of the same name. The film was produced by the Mayflower Photoplay Company. It is n ...

'' (1920) *'' Riders of the Dawn'' (1920) *'' The Devil to Pay'' (1920) *''

Live Sparks ''Live Sparks'' is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Mae Talbot, and Roy Laidlaw.Katchmer p.440 Cast * J. Warren Kerrigan as Neil Sparks * Mae Talbot as Aunt Helen * Roy Laidlaw a ...

'' (1920) * ''

The Kentucky Colonel ''The Kentucky Colonel'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Joseph J. Dowling, Frederick Vroom and Elinor Field based on the 1890 best-selling book ''A Kentucky Colonel'' by Opie Read.Singer p.390 ...

'' (1920) * ''

$30,000 ''$30,000'' is a 1920 American silent mystery film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Fritzi Brunette and Carl Stockdale.Wlaschin p.218 Synopsis A struggling attorney is given $30,000 by a young female client who wi ...

'' (1920) * ''

The Dream Cheater ''The Dream Cheater'' is a 1920 American silent horror film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Wedgwood Nowell and Fritzi Brunette.Soister, Nicolella & Joyce p.161 It is based on the 1831 novel ''La Peau de chagrin'' b ...

'' (1920) *''

The U.P. Trail ''The U.P. Trail'' is a 1920 American silent Western film directed by Jack Conway and starring Kathlyn Williams, Roy Stewart, and Marguerite De La Motte Marguerite De La Motte (June 22, 1902 – March 10, 1950) was an American film ac ...

'' (1920) *''

The House of Whispers ''The House of Whispers'' is a lost 1920 American silent mystery film directed by Ernest C. Warde and starring J. Warren Kerrigan, Joseph J. Dowling and Fritzi Brunette.Goble p.803 Cast * J. Warren Kerrigan as Spaulding Nelson * Joseph J. D ...

'' (1920) *''

The Beautiful Liar ''The Beautiful Liar'' is a 1921 American comedy film directed by Wallace Worsley and written by Ruth Wightman. The film stars Katherine MacDonald, Charles Meredith, Joseph J. Dowling, Kate Lester, and Wilfred Lucas. The film was released on ...

'' (1921) *''

The Sin of Martha Queed ''The Sin of Martha Queed'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Mary Thurman, Joseph J. Dowling and Eugenie Besserer.Lombardi p.117 Cast * Mary Thurman as Martha Queed * Joseph J. Dowling as Marvin Queed * ...

'' (1921) * '' The Breaking Point'' (1921) * ''

A Certain Rich Man ''A Certain Rich Man'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Howard Hickman and starring Carl Gantvoort, Claire Adams and Robert McKim.Munden p.116 Cast * Carl Gantvoort as Bob Hendricks * Claire Adams as Molly Culpepper * Robert ...

'' (1921) * ''

Fightin' Mad ''Fightin' Mad'' is a 1921 American silent Western comedy film directed by Joseph Franz and starring William Desmond, Virginia Brown Faire and Rosemary Theby.Munden, p. 238. Cast * William Desmond as Bud McGraw * Virginia Brown Faire as Peg ...

'' (1921) *''

The Grim Comedian ''The Grim Comedian'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Phoebe Hunt, Jack Holt, and Gloria Hope.Munden p. 316 Plot As described in a film magazine, an automobile passenger tells an old man a tale, while ...

'' (1921) *'' The Other Woman'' (1921) *''

The Lure of Egypt ''The Lure of Egypt'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Howard C. Hickman and starring Robert McKim, Claire Adams and Joseph J. Dowling.Munden p.468 Plot ‘’The Lure of Egypt’’ is an adaptation of the novel ‘’There ...

'' (1921) *''

The Spenders ''The Spenders'' is a 1921 American silent comedy film directed by Jack Conway and starring Claire Adams, Robert McKim and Joseph J. Dowling.Goble p.963 Plot Cast * Claire Adams as Avice Milbrey * Robert McKim as Rulon Shepler * Joseph J ...

'' (1921) * '' The Half Breed'' (1922) *''

The Pride of Palomar ''The Pride of Palomar'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage and written by Grant Carpenter, Peter B. Kyne, and John Lynch. The film stars Forrest Stanley, Marjorie Daw, Tote Du Crow, James O. Barrows, Joseph J. ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Danger Point ''The Danger Point'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Carmel Myers, William P. Carleton and Vernon Steele.Munden p.164 Cast * Carmel Myers as Alice Torrance * William P. Carleton as James Benton * ...

'' (1922) * '' Trail of the Axe'' (1922) *''

The Girl Who Ran Wild ''The Girl Who Ran Wild'' is a 1922 American comedy-drama film directed by Rupert Julian. It is a black and white silent film released by Universal which is based on the 1863 novella ''M’liss: An Idyll of Red Mountain'' by Bret Harte. It is a r ...

'' (1922) *'' The Christian'' (1923) *'' Tiger Rose'' (1923) *''

Enemies of Children ''Enemies of Children'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Lillian Ducey anJohn M. Voshellthat was based upon the novel ''Youth Triumphant'' by George Gibbs. It is the only screen director credit for Ducey and one of two for Voshe ...

'' (1923) *''

Dollar Devils ''Dollar Devils'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Joseph J. Dowling, Miles McCarthy, and May Wallace. Oil is discovered outside a small New England town. Plot As described in a film magazine, ...

'' (1923) * '' The Girl Who Came Back'' (1923) * ''

The Spider and the Rose ''The Spider and the Rose'' is a 1923 American silent historical drama film directed by John McDermott and starring Alice Lake, Richard Headrick and Gaston Glass.Munden p.755 Cast * Alice Lake as Paula * Richard Headrick as Don Marcello, as a c ...

'' (1923) *''

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 ''Th ...

'' (1923) *''

The Gaiety Girl ''A Gaiety Girl'' is an English musical comedy in two acts by a team of musical comedy neophytes: Owen Hall (book, on an outline by James T. Tanner), Harry Greenbank (lyrics) and Sidney Jones (music). It opened at Prince of Wales Theatre in Lon ...

'' (1924) *''

Women Who Give ''Women Who Give'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Reginald Barker. It starred Barbara Bedford, Renee Adoree and Frank Keenan. Based upon the novel ''Cape Cod Folk'' by Sarah P. MacLean, it was produced by Louis B. Mayer Produ ...

'' (1924) * ''

Untamed Youth ''Untamed Youth'' is a 1957 American teen film directed by Howard W. Koch, written by John C. Higgins and Stephen Longstreet, and starring Mamie Van Doren and Lori Nelson as two starstruck sisters who are sentenced to farm labor. Plot Sisters ...

'' (1924) *'' Tess of the D'Urbervilles'' (1924) *''

'' (1924) *''

Those Who Dare ''Those Who Dare'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by John B. O'Brien and starring John Bowers, Marguerite De La Motte, and Joseph J. Dowling. Though some reference books consider it a horror film, it is not known how overt the vo ...

'' (1924) *''

Unseen Hands ''Unseen Hands'' is a 1924 American silent film, silent horror film directed by Jacques Jaccard and starring Wallace Beery, Joseph J. Dowling and Fontaine La Rue. This was apparently the only horror film Jaccard directed, although he made over 80 ...

'' (1924) *''

Her Night of Romance ''Her Night of Romance'' is a 1924 American silent film written by Hanns Kräly and directed by Sidney Franklin. The romantic comedy stars Constance Talmadge and Ronald Colman. Plot American millionaire Samuel C. Adams brings his daughter Do ...

'' (1924) *''

New Lives for Old ''New Lives for Old'' is a 1925 American silent film, silent drama film that was produced by Famous Players–Lasky, directed by Clarence G. Badger, and starred Betty Compson. Plot As described in a film magazine review, Olympe (Compson), a famo ...

'' (1925) *'' Flower of the Night'' (1925) *''

Confessions of a Queen ''Confessions of a Queen'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Victor Sjöström based upon a novel by Alphonse Daudet Alphonse Daudet (; 13 May 184016 December 1897) was a French novelist. He was the husband of Julia Daudet and ...

'' (1925) *''

'' (1925) *'' Why Girls Go Back Home'' (1926)

References

External links

*
Portraits of Joseph J. Dowling
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dowling, Joseph J. 1850 births 1928 deaths Male actors from Philadelphia 19th-century American male actors 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American people of Swedish descent American male silent film actors American male stage actors Vaudeville performers People from Mount Clemens, Michigan