Ralph Percy Lewis (October 8, 1872 – December 4, 1937) was an American actor of the

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...

era. Born in 1872 in

Englewood, Illinois Englewood is a neighborhood and community area located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is also the 68th of the 77 community areas in the city. At its peak population in 1960, over 97,000 people lived in its approxima ...

, Lewis attended Northwestern University. Lewis appeared in 160 films between 1912 and 1938. The

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

remains perhaps best remembered for his role as abolitionist U.S. Representative Austin Stoneman in

D. W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the n ...

's ''

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 Clan ...

'' (1915) and the governor in '' Intolerance'' (1916). Lewis's film debut came in 1912. He also starred in one of the early Hollywood sound shorts, ''Gaunt'', in 1931. He was married to actress

Vera Lewis Vera Lewis (June 10, 1873 – February 8, 1956) was an American film and stage actress, beginning in the silent film era. She appeared in more than 180 films between 1915 and 1947. She was married to actor Ralph Lewis. Biography She was b ...

. Lewis died in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

, on December 4, 1937, after being hit on November 25, 1937 by a limousine driven by a chauffeur working for

Jack L. Warner Jack Leonard Warner (born Jacob Warner; August 2, 1892 – September 9, 1978) was a Canadian-American film executive, who was the president and driving force behind the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. Warner's career spanned some ...

Filmography

* ''The Great Leap: Until Death Do Us Part'' (1914) (film debut) * '' Home, Sweet Home'' (1914) * '' The Escape'' (1914) - The Senator * ''

The Avenging Conscience ''The Avenging Conscience: or "Thou Shalt Not Kill"'' is a 1914 silent horror film directed by D. W. Griffith. The film is based on Edgar Allan Poe's 1843 short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" and his 1849 poem " Annabel Lee". Plot A young man ( H ...

'' (1914) - The Detective (film debut) * '' The Floor Above'' (1914, Short) - Jerome * ''

'' (1915) - Hon. Austin Stoneman - Leader of the House * ''The Wolf Man'' (1915) - Hilbert Grinde, 'The Wolf Man' * ''Jordan Is a Hard Road'' (1915) - Jim Starbuck * ''

Let Katie Do It ''Let Katie Do It'' is a 1916 American silent film drama directed by Chester and Sidney Franklin and was produced by D. W. Griffith's Fine Arts company. It is also known as ''Let Katy Do It''. A copy is preserved in the Library of Congress ...

'' (1916) - Uncle Dan Standish * ''Martha's Vindication'' (1916) - Deacon Hunt * '' The Flying Torpedo'' (1916) - Head of the Board * ''

Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...

'' (1916) - Banquo * '' Going Straight'' (1916) - John Remington * ''

Hell-to-Pay Austin ''Hell-to-Pay Austin'' (also known, without hyphens, as ''Hell to Pay Austin'') is a 1916 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Paul Powell and starring Wilfred Lucas in the title role, with Bessie Love, Eugene Pallette, and Mary Alde ...

'' (1916) - Dad Dawson * '' Gretchen the Greenhorn'' (1916) - Jan Van Houck * '' Intolerance'' (1916) - The Governor * '' A Sister of Six'' (1916) - Caleb Winthrop * '' The Children Pay'' (1916) - Theodore Ainsley - the Girls' Father * ''

A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in ...

'' (1917) - Roger Cly * ''Her Temptation'' (1917) - Ralph Stuart * ''The Silent Lie'' (1917) - Hatfield * ''

Jack and the Beanstalk "Jack and the Beanstalk" is an English fairy tale. It appeared as "The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean" in 1734 4th edition On Commons and as Benjamin Tabart's moralized "The History of Jack and the Bean-Stalk" in 1807. Henry Co ...

'' (1917) - Francis' Father * ''This Is the Life'' (1917) - Count Herman von Nuttenberg * ''

Cheating the Public ''Cheating the Public'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Richard Stanton and starring Enid Markey, Ralph Lewis and Bertram Grassby.Solomon p.245 Cast * Enid Markey as Mary Garvin * Ralph Lewis as John Dowling * Bertram Grassby ...

'' (1918) - John Dowling * ''

Revenge Revenge is committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Francis Bacon described revenge as a kind of "wild justice" that "does... offend the law ndputteth the law out of office." P ...

'' (1918) - 'Sudden' Duncan * ''The Kid Is Clever'' (1918) - Jazzbando Boullion * ''Fires of Youth'' (1918) - John Linforth * ''The Talk of the Town'' (1918) * ''

The Dub ''The Dub'' is a lost 1919 American silent comedy film directed by James Cruze and written by Edgar Franklin and Will M. Ritchey. The film stars Wallace Reid, Charles Ogle, Ralph Lewis, Raymond Hatton, Winter Hall, and Nina Byron. The film wa ...

'' (1919) - Frederick Blatch * ''The Long Lane's Turning'' (1919) - Gov. Eveland * ''The Mother and the Law'' (1919) - The Governor * '' The Valley of the Giants'' (1919) - Col. Pennington * '' The Hoodlum'' (1919) - Alexander Guthrie * '' Eyes of Youth'' (1919) - Robert Goring * '' When the Clouds Roll By'' (1919) - Curtis Brown * ''

What Women Love ''What Women Love'' is a lost 1920 American silent comedy drama film directed by Nate Watt and starring Annette Kellerman. Cast *Annette Kellerman as Annabel Cotton * Ralph Lewis as James King Cotton *Wheeler Oakman as Willy St. John * Willia ...

'' (1920) - James King Cotton * '' 813'' (1920) - Robert Castleback * '' Outside the Law'' (1920) - Silent Madden * ''Common Sense'' (1920) - Dan Bowers * '' Prisoners of Love'' (1921) - Her Father * ''

Man, Woman & Marriage ''Man, Woman & Marriage'' is a 1921 American silent drama film produced and directed by Allen Holubar and starring Dorothy Phillips. It was released through Associated First National Pictures. It is also known under the title ''Man-Woman-Marriag ...

'' (1921) - The Father * '' Sowing the Wind'' (1921) - Brabazon * '' Salvage'' (1921) - Cyrus Ridgeway * '' A Private Scandal'' (1921) - Phillip Lawton * '' The Conquering Power'' (1921) - Pere Grandet * ''The $5 Baby'' (1922) - Ben Shapinsky * '' In the Name of the Law'' (1922) - Patrick O'Hara * '' Flesh and Blood'' (1922) - Fletcher Burton * '' The Sin Flood'' (1922) - Fraser * ''Broad Daylight'' (1922) - Peter Fay * ''

Environment Environment most often refers to: __NOTOC__ * Natural environment, all living and non-living things occurring naturally * Biophysical environment, the physical and biological factors along with their chemical interactions that affect an organism or ...

'' (1922) - Diamond Jim Favre * ''

The Third Alarm ''The Third Alarm'' is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film directed by Emory Johnson. The film is based on the original story by Emilie Johnson and is set in San Francisco, California. The photoplay stars Anita Louise, James Hall (actor), James ...

'' (1922) - Dan McDowell * '' The Fog'' (1923) - Johnathan Forge * ''

The West~Bound Limited The West~Bound Limited is a 1923 American silent melodrama film directed by Emory Johnson. Emilie Johnson, Emory's mother, wrote both the story and screenplay. The film's cast features Ralph Lewis, Claire McDowell, Johnny Harron, and Ella ...

'' (1923) - Bill Buckley * '' Vengeance of the Deep'' (1923) - Captain Musgrove * ''Tea: With a Kick!'' (1923) - Jim Day * ''

Desire Desires are states of mind that are expressed by terms like " wanting", " wishing", "longing" or "craving". A great variety of features is commonly associated with desires. They are seen as propositional attitudes towards conceivable states of ...

'' (1923) - De Witt Harlan * ''

Blow Your Own Horn ''Blow Your Own Horn'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by James W. Horne and starring Warner Baxter, Ralph Lewis, and Derelys Perdue.Munden p.70 Cast * Warner Baxter as Jack Dunbar * Ralph Lewis as Nicholas Small * Derelys P ...

'' (1923) - Nicholas Small * '' The Mailman'' (1923) - Bob Morley * ''

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) - Joe Ardis * '' The Man Who Came Back'' (1924) - Thomas Potter * ''

Dante's Inferno ''Inferno'' (; Italian for "Hell") is the first part of Italian writer Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem ''Divine Comedy''. It is followed by ''Purgatorio'' and '' Paradiso''. The ''Inferno'' describes Dante's journey through Hell, gui ...

'' (1924) - The Man - Mortimer Judd * ''

In Every Woman's Life ''In Every Woman's Life'' is a 1924 American drama film directed by Irving Cummings and written by Albert S. Le Vino. It is based on the 1920 novel ''Belonging'' by Olive Wadsley. The film stars Virginia Valli, Lloyd Hughes, Marc McDermott, G ...

'' (1924) - Captain * '' East of Broadway'' (1924) - Commissioner * '' The Bridge of Sighs'' (1925) - William Craig * '' Who Cares'' (1925) - Grandfather Ludlow * '' The Million Dollar Handicap'' (1925) - John Porter * ''The Re-Creation of Brian Kent'' (1925) - Homer Ward * '' The Overland Limited'' (1925) - Ed Barton * '' Heir-Loons'' (1925) * ''

One of the Bravest ''One of the Bravest'' is a 1925 American silent action drama film directed by Frank O'Connor and starring Ralph Lewis, Edward Hearn, and Pat Somerset. Plot A father of Irish heritage rejects his firefighter son when he marries and Jewish gi ...

'' (1925) - John Kelly * '' The Last Edition'' (1925) - Tom McDonald * ''

The Lady from Hell ''The Lady from Hell'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Stuart Paton and starring Roy Stewart, Blanche Sweet, and Ralph Lewis. It was released in the United Kingdom later the same year by Ideal Films under the alternative t ...

'' (1926) - Earl of Kennet * '' Shadow of the Law'' (1926) - Brophy * ''

Fascinating Youth ''Fascinating Youth'' is a 1926 American silent romantic comedy film directed by Sam Wood. It starred Charles "Buddy" Rogers (in his feature debut), along with Thelma Todd and Josephine Dunn in supporting roles. Many well-known personalities ...

'' (1926) - John Ward * ''

Bigger Than Barnum's ''Bigger Than Barnum's'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Ralph Ince and starring Ralph Lewis, George O'Hara, and Viola Dana.Quinlan p. 152 Cast * Ralph Lewis as Peter Blandin * George O'Hara as Robert Blandim * Viola D ...

'' (1926) - Peter Blandin * ''

The Block Signal ''The Block Signal'' is 1926 American silent drama film directed by Frank O'Connor and starring Ralph Lewis, Jean Arthur, and Hugh Allan. It was produced by the independent company Gotham Pictures. Synopsis A veteran railroad engineer discove ...

'' (1926) - 'Jovial Joe' Ryan * ''

The False Alarm ''The False Alarm'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Frank O'Connor and starring Ralph Lewis, Dorothy Revier and John Harron.Munden p.227 Cast * Ralph Lewis as Fighting John Casey * Dorothy Revier as Mary Doyle * John Harron ...

'' (1926) - Fighting John Casey * ''

The Silent Power ''The Silent Power'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Frank O'Connor and starring Ralph Lewis, Ethel Shannon and Charles Delaney.Connelly p.255 It was produced by the independent company Gotham Pictures. Synopsis The manager of ...

'' (1926) - John Rollins * ''

Held by the Law ''Held by the Law'' is a 1927 American crime film directed by Edward Laemmle and written by Charles Logue. The film stars Ralph Lewis, Johnnie Walker, Marguerite De La Motte, Robert Ober, Fred Kelsey and Maude Wayne. The film was released on ...

'' (1927) - George Travis * ''

The Sunset Derby ''The Sunset Derby'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Mary Astor, William Collier Jr., and Ralph Lewis.

'' (1927) - Sam Gibson * '' The Shield of Honor'' (1927) - Dan MacDowell * ''Casey Jones'' (1927) - Casey Jones * ''

Outcast Souls ''Outcast Souls'' is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by Louis Chaudet and starring Priscilla Bonner, Charles Delaney and Ralph Lewis.Munden p.579 Cast * Priscilla Bonner as Alice Davis * Charles Delaney Charles Delaney (Aug ...

'' (1928) - John Turner *''

Crooks Can't Win ''Crooks Can't Win'' is a 1928 American silent crime drama film directed by George M. Arthur and starring Ralph Lewis, Thelma Hill and Joe E. Brown.Gehring p.38 Synopsis A police officer is kicked off the force when his superior wrongly beli ...

'' (1928) - Dad Gillen * ''

The Girl in the Glass Cage ''The Girl in the Glass Cage'' is a 1929 American part-talkie crime drama film directed by Ralph Dawson and starring Loretta Young, Carroll Nye, Matthew Betz, Lucien Littlefield, and Ralph Lewis. It is based on the 1927 novel of the same name ...

'' (1929) - John Cosgrove * '' The Bad One'' (1930) - Blochet * ''

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation throu ...

'' (1930) - Member of Lincoln's Cabinet (uncredited) * ''The Fourth Alarm'' (1930) - Chief Turner * '' The Lost Squadron'' (1930) - Joe * ''

American Madness ''American Madness'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by Frank Capra and starring Walter Huston as a New York banker embroiled in scandal. Plot At the Union National Bank, the directors are concerned because they think that bank presi ...

'' (1932) - Judge (uncredited) * '' McKenna of the Mounted'' (1932) - Kennedy * '' Strange Justice'' (1932) - Prison Warden (uncredited) * ''

Call Her Savage ''Call Her Savage'' is a 1932 pre-Code drama film directed by John Francis Dillon and starring Clara Bow. The film was Bow's second-to-last film role. It is also one of the first portrayals of homosexuals on screen, including a scene in a gay ba ...

'' (1932) - Doctor (uncredited) * '' The Death Kiss'' (1932) - Winchell (uncredited) * ''

Sucker Money ''Sucker Money'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code film directed by Dorothy Davenport and Melville Shyer. The film is also known as ''Victims of the Beyond'' in the United Kingdom. Premise A phony spiritualist, Yomurda, uses fake seances and hypnot ...

'' (1933) - John Walton * ''

Somewhere in Sonora ''Somewhere in Sonora'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code Western film directed by Mack V. Wright and starring John Wayne. It is a remake of the 1927 silent film of the same name. The story was based on a 1925 novel named "Somewhere South" by ...

'' (1933) - Mr. Kelly Burton * ''

Riot Squad Riot control measures are used by law enforcement, military, paramilitary or security forces to control, disperse, and arrest people who are involved in a riot, unlawful demonstration or unlawful protest. If a riot is spontaneous and irratio ...

'' (1933) - Judge Nathaniel Moore * ''

Mystery Liner ''Mystery Liner'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code film directed by William Nigh, starring Noah Beery, Sr., and based on an Edgar Wallace story originally published in the ''Saturday Evening Post'' in 1924. The film was entered as a feature attracti ...

'' (1934) - Prof. Grimson * '' Badge of Honor'' (1934) - Randall Brewster * ''

Fighting Hero ''Fighting Hero'' is a 1934 American pre-Code Western film directed by Harry S. Webb and starring Tom Tyler and Edward Hearn.Pitts p.310 Main cast * Tom Tyler as Tom Hall * Renee Borden as Conchita Alvarez * Edward Hearn as Bert Hawley ...

'' (1934) - The Judge * '' Terror of the Plains'' (1934) - Dad Lansing * '' Ready for Love'' (1934) - Mr. Thompson (uncredited) * ''When Lightning Strikes'' (1934) - Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

Outlaw Rule ''Outlaw Rule'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby and starring Reb Russell, Betty Mack and Al Bridge.Pitts p.213 Cast * Reb Russell as Reb Russell * Betty Mack as Kay Lathrop * Al Bridge as Deputy Bat Lindstrom * Yakima C ...

'' (1935) - John Lathrop * '' The Lost City'' (1935, Serial) - Prof. Reynolds hs.1-4* ''

Behind the Green Lights ''Behind the Green Lights'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Norman Foster, Judith Allen and Sidney Blackmer.Goble p.685 Partial cast * Norman Foster as Detective Lt. Dave Britten * Judith Allen as Mary ...

'' (1935) - Judge #2 / Lawyer * '' Born to Battle'' (1935) - Justice Hiram McClump * ''

Sunset Range ''Sunset Range'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Ray McCarey and starring Hoot Gibson. The film received a mostly positive reception, with praise for Gibson's acting and delivery of humor in what was his first western film in two ...

'' (1935) - Sheriff * ''

Diamond Jim ''Diamond Jim'' is a 1935 biographical film based on the published biography ''Diamond Jim Brady'' by Parker Morell. It follows the life of legendary entrepreneur James Buchanan Brady, including his romance with entertainer Lillian Russell, and s ...

'' (1935) - Man at Bar (uncredited) * ''

Dr. Socrates ''Dr. Socrates'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by William Dieterle and starring Paul Muni as a doctor forced to treat a wounded gangster, played by Barton MacLane. Plot The death of his fiancée in a car crash so unnerves top surgeon Dr ...

'' (1935) - Bookstore Proprietor (uncredited) * ''

Thanks a Million ''Thanks a Million'' is a 1935 musical film produced and released by 20th Century Fox and directed by Roy Del Ruth. It stars Dick Powell, Ann Dvorak and Fred Allen, and features Patsy Kelly, David Rubinoff and Paul Whiteman and his band with si ...

'' (1935) - Politician (uncredited) * '' Swifty'' (1935) - Alec McNiel * '' Border Flight'' (1936) - Boat Captain (uncredited) * ''

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17t ...

'' (1936) - Founders' Club Member (uncredited) * ''

The Accusing Finger ''The Accusing Finger'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by James P. Hogan and written by Madeleine Ruthven, Brian Marlow, John Bright and Robert Tasker. The film stars Paul Kelly, Marsha Hunt, Kent Taylor, Robert Cummings, Harry Care ...

'' (1936) - Senator (uncredited) * ''

Make Way for Tomorrow ''Make Way for Tomorrow'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Leo McCarey. The plot concerns an elderly couple (played by Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi) who are forced to separate when they lose their house and none of their five children ...

'' (1937) - Business Man (uncredited) * ''

West Bound Limited ''West Bound Limited'' is a 1937 American action film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Lyle Talbot, Polly Rowles, Frank Reicher, Henry Brandon, Henry Hunter and William Lundigan. Written by Maurice Geraghty, the film was released on July ...

'' (1937) - Foreman of the Jury (uncredited) * ''

Behind the Mike Behind may refer to: * ''Behind'' (album), a 1992 album by Superior * Behind (Australian rules football), a method of scoring in Australian rules football, awarding one point * "Behind" (song), a 2008 single by Flanders * Behind, a slang term fo ...

'' (1937) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Music for Madame ''Music for Madame'' is a 1937 American musical comedy film directed by John G. Blystone and written by Gertrude Purcell and Robert Harari. The film was released on October 8, 1937 by RKO Pictures. Plot Singer Nino Maretti comes into Hollywood a ...

'' (1937) - Henchman (uncredited) * '' The Buccaneer'' (1938) - Prominent Gentleman (uncredited)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, Ralph 1872 births 1937 deaths Road incident deaths in California American male film actors American male silent film actors 20th-century American male actors Male actors from Chicago