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ASHTON DEARHOLT (b. April 4, 1894 Milwaukee, WI; d. April 27, 1942 Los Angeles, CA) Dearholt worked with Universal on a number of melodramas during the 1910s but usually worked outside the studio system. During the 1930s, Dearholt was known for his low-budget films. He occasionally acted under the name Richard Holt and became famous for his association with author Edgar Rice Burroughs. During filming of “The New Adventures of Tarzan” in Guatemala, Dearholt fell in love with actress Ula Holt. Actress Florence Gilbert granted Dearholt a divorce and he married Ula Holt, while Ms. Gilbert married Edgar Rice Burroughs. (Dearholt was also married to actress Helene Rosson.) Ashton appeared in 68 films from 1915 to 1938. In addition, he produced 10 films and directed 2.
DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, SR. (Douglas Elton Ulman, b. May 23, 1883 Denver, CO; d. December 12, 1939 Santa Monica, CA) Standing 5’10” and weighing 165 lbs, the brown haired, blue eyed Fairbanks was educated in Denver City Schools and the Colorado School of Mines. In 1901 the Fairbanks family went to New York where Douglas got his first stage work with Fredick Warde. An established Broadway star, Douglas was lured to Hollywood by a generous contract with Triangle Pictures. During WWI, he met Mary Pickford, fell in love and married her in 1920. They rented sports goods manufacturer Syl Spaulding’s house on Summit Drive in Beverly Hills, naming it Pickfair and thus began the exodus of Hollywood stars to Beverly Hills. Fairbanks was also married to Lady Sylvia Ashley – one time wife of actor Clark Gable. When production finished on Fairbanks’ last film, he reportedly looked around the soundstage, walked to the door and before exiting said, “The romance of the motion picture ends here,” referring to the advent of sound in motion pictures. Douglas appeared in 48 films from 1915 to 1934. In addition, he produced 24 films and wrote 18 screenplays.
TOM FORMAN (b. March 22, 1893 Mitchell County, TX; d. November 7, 1926 Venice, CA) Cousin to actress Madge Bellamy. Forman was a World War I vet, he’d enlisted as a private and was discharged a lieutenant of the flying corps. Forman’s biggest achievement was directing the 1924 film “The Virginian,” after which his career faltered and he was reduced to working on cheap poverty row melodramas. He was set to direct the Coumbia film “The Wreck,” which was to begin shooting on November 8. However, having been ill, he retired to his room and shot himself through the heart. Tom appeared in 52 films from 1913 to 1928. In addition, he directed 27 films and wrote 7 screenplays.
RALPH LEWIS (b. October 8, 1872 Englewood, IL; d. October 4, 1937 Los Angeles, CA) A stage actor prior to going to Hollywood and making his film debut in 1912, Lewis joined up with D.W. Griffith and had a healthly career thereafter. Married to actress Vera Lewis. Lewis died as a result of an accident on Thanksgiving night – he was struck by a car driven by Jack Warner’s chauffeur. Ralph appeared in 126 films from 1912 to 1938.
ROBERT McKIM (b. August 26, 1886 San Francisco, CA; d. June 4, 1927 Hollywood, CA) Married to stage actresses Dorcas Matthews and Ottie Ardine, Robert got his start at 14 years of age, as a singing and dancing waiter in Chicago. McKim began a long career on the stage with the Alcazar stock company in San Francisco. In vaudeville, he teamed for many years with Johnny Cantwell. He later worked for Triangle and the Ince Company and was one of the founders of the National Vaudeville Artists. McKim is best remembered as the rival of Douglas Fairbanks in “The Mark of Zorro” (1920). McKim was stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage while on stage in Salt Lake City and brought back to Hollywood where he passed away, leaving his wife, actress Dorcas Matthews, and two small children. Robert appeared in 94 films from 1915 to 1927.
TOM SANTSCHI (b. October 24, 1878 Lucerne, Switzerland (some sources say Kokomo, IN); d. April 9, 1931 Los Angeles, CA) Santschi was one of the first actors to leave the legit theatre for motion pictures. Tom appeared in 196 films from 1908 to 1932. In addition, he directed 16 films.
RUDOLPH VALENTINO (Rodolfo Pietro Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi di Valentina, b. May 6, 1895, Castellaneta, Italy; d. August 23, 1926 New York NY) Tall and slender – 5’11”, 155 lbs, Valentino was married to actresses Jean Acker and Natacha Rambova. His mother was French and his fathter was a captain in the Italian cavalry. He attended military school and later the Royal Academy of Agriculture. In 1913 he began tango dancing in New York’s Winter Garden and several other night spots and cafes. On May 6, 1930, a four-foot high bronze male nude statue representing “Aspiration” was dedicated in Valentino’s honor at Hollywood’s DeLongre Park. Valentino died from a perforated ulcer, causing blood poisoning. Rudolph appeared in 37 films from 1914 to 1926.
ROBERT WARWICK, SR. (Robert Taylor Bien, b. October 9, 1868 Sacramento, CA; d. June 6, 1944 Hollywood, CA)
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Check this out for other stars who shall always be remembered:
http://hometown.aol.com/amyvandoren/neverforgotten.html
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