Earle Williams

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the California historian, see Earle E. Williams. For those of a similar name, see Earl Williams (disambiguation).
Earle Williams
Hollywood, California
U.S.
Years activec. 1899–1927
Spouse(s)Florine Mahackmo Walz
(1918–1927; his death)
Parent(s)Augustus P. Williams
Eva M. Paget Williams

Earle Williams (born Earle Raphael Williams; February 28, 1880 – April 25, 1927) was an American stage actor and film star in the silent era.[1]

Early life

Williams was born in Sacramento, California, the son of Augustus P. Williams and Eva M. Paget Williams.[2] When he was six years old, he moved with his family to Oakland. Later he attended the Polytechnic College of California.[3] Before he began his acting career, Williams worked in a bicycle shop, competed as a bicycle racer, and served as a newspaper photographer for the Oakland Tribune.[3][4]

Stage and film careers

After performing in bit parts in Oakland theaters,[3] Williams began professional acting in earnest in 1901 with the Baldwin-Melville Stock Company in New Orleans.[2] He went on from there to act in the Alcazaar Theater's stock company in San Francisco and with a touring company in Canada and the United States.[3]

In 1912, he joined the

Arsene Lupin
. He continued his popularity streak into the 1920s, often portraying stalwart military heroes.

Personal life, death, and family tragedy

Williams married New York native Florine Mahackmo Walz in October 1918.

San Francisco, and her 80-year-old mother to commit suicide together by inhaling excessive amounts of chloroform. Death, according to news reports, appeared to be preferable for the two women rather than facing further humiliations for their family.[5] Before their own deaths, the women used the same method of saturating rolls of cotton with chloroform to sedate and murder Florine's six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son.[5][6]

Selected filmography

A Gentleman of Quality (1919)

References

  1. ^ a b "EARLE WILLIAMS EXPIRES: Bronchial Pneumonia Ends Brilliant Career of Pioneer Filmland Favorite", Los Angeles Times, April 26, 1927, p. A2. ProQuest Historical Newspapers, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
  2. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  3. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  4. Newspapers.com
    .
  5. ^ a b c "LIFE BITTER TO WIDOW: Mrs. Williams on Probation Estate Transactions After Actor's Death Lead to Court Proceedings Shattered Love Affair With Oil Promoter", Los Angeles Times, August 10, 1931, pp. 1–2. ProQuest Historical Newspapers.
  6. Newspapers.com
    .

External links

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