John Gilbert (actor)

American actor and film director (1897–1936) John GilbertGilbert in 1931BornJohn Cecil Pringle(1897-07-10)July 10, 1897Logan, Utah, U.S.DiedJanuary 9, 1936(1936-01-09) (aged 38)Los Angeles, California, U.S.Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, U.S.Other nameJack GilbertEducationHitchcock Military AcademyOccupationsActordirectorscreenwriterYears active1914–1934Spouses Olivia Burwell ​ ​(m. 1918; div. 1921)​ Leatrice Joy ​ ​(m. 1922; div. 1925)​ Ina Claire ​ ​(m. 1929; div. 1931)​ Virginia Bruce ​ ​(m. 1932; div. 1934)​ Children2 John Gilbert (born John Cecil Pringle; July 10, 1897 – January 9, 1936) was an American actor, screenwriter and director. He rose to fame during the silent era and became a popular leading man known as "The Great Lover". His breakthrough came in 1925 with his starring roles in The Merry Widow and The Big Parade. At the height of his career, Gilbert rivaled Rudolph Valentino as a box office draw. Gilbert's career declined precipitously when silent pictures gave way to talkies, persistently attributed to his "squeaky voice". This has been called into question in later years, with his lower-class diction in