Personal Info
Birth date
1876-07-03 (149 Years)
Day of death
1953-06-05
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Also known as
-William Farnum
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William Farnum (July 4, 1876 in Boston, Massachusetts – June 5, 1953 in Hollywood, California) was a major movie actor. One of three brothers, Farnum grew up in a family of actors. He made his acting debut at the age of ten in Richmond, Virginia in a production of Julius Caesar, with Edwin Booth playing the title character. His first major success was as the title character of Ben-Hur in 1900 though replacing the original actor Edward Morgan who premiered the character in 1899. Later plays Farnum appeared in were the costume epic The Prince of India (1906), The White Sister (1909) starring Viola Allen, The Littlest Rebel (1911) co-starring his brother Dustin and a child actress named Mary Miles Minter(then nine years old) & Arizona (1913) with Dustin and stage beauty Elsie Ferguson. In The Spoilers in 1914, Farnum and Tom Santschi staged a classic movie fight which lasted for a full reel. In 1930, Farnum and Stantschi coached Gary Cooper and William Boyd in the fight scene for the 1930 version of The Spoilers. Other actors influenced by the Farnum scene were Milton Sills and Noah Beery in 1922 and Randolph Scott and John Wayne in 1942. From 1915 to 1925, Farnum devoted his life to motion pictures. When becoming one of the biggest sensations in Hollywood, he also became one of the highest-paid actors, earning $10,000 a week. Farnum's silent pictures the western Drag Harlan(1920) and the drama-adventure If I Were King(1921) survive from his years contracted to Fox Films. Farnum has a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was the younger brother of actor Dustin Farnum. He had another brother, Marshall Farnum, who was a silent film director and died in 1917. Description above from the Wikipedia article William Farnum, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
Samson and Delilah
6.511
Overview:
When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.Trail of Robin Hood
5.2
Overview:
Retired actor Jack Holt is raising Christmas trees for sale at a cost which permits every family to have one. A commercial tree company tries to drive Holt out of business. Roy saves the day, of course.Lone Star
5.6
Overview:
Rip-roaring big star, big budget semi-historical story about cattle baron Devereaux Burke, who is enlisted by an aging Andrew Jackson to dissuade Sam Houston from establishing Texas as a republic. Burke must fight state senator Thomas Craden, in the process winning the heart of Craden's newspaper-editor girlfriend Martha Ronda.The Perils of Pauline
6.2
Overview:
Funloving Pearl White, working in a garment sweatshop, gets her big chance when she "opens" for a delayed Shakespeare play...with a comic vaudeville performance. Her brief stage career leads her into those "horrible" moving pictures, where she comes to love the chaotic world of silent movies, becoming queen of the serials. But the consequences of movie stardom may be more than her leading man can takeThe Lone Ranger
6
Overview:
In 1865, Captain Mark Smith of the Confederate Army leads a band of deserters to conquer Texas and rule it as a dictator. In one of his first actions, he captures and assumes the identity of Texas' new Finance Commissioner, Colonel Marcus Jeffries, after having the real man murdered. When a contingent of Texas Rangers enters the territory, Snead, one of Smith's men, leads them into an ambush by Smith's "troopers". The Rangers are apparently wiped out, although one injured survivor is left. The survivor, nursed back to health by Tonto, swears to avenge the massacre and defeat "Colonel Jeffries" and his men.The Spoilers
6.2
Overview:
When honest ship captain Roy Glennister gets swindled out of his mine claim, he turns to saloon singer Cherry Malotte for assistance in his battle with no-good town kingpin Alexander McNamara.Bride of Vengeance
5
Overview:
The tiny independent duchy of Ferrara is located between Casare Borgia's Rome and Venice, and Borgia has plans to conquer Venice via Ferrara. He murders his sister's husband and makes it appear that Alfonso D'Este of Ferrara was behind the killing. To avenge herself against Ferrara and D'Este, Lucretia Borgia marries D'Este and intends to poison him. But...she falls in love with him.Sharad of Atlantis
4.235
Overview:
Crash Corrigan, a recent graduate of Annapolis, and Diana, a go-getting reporter, join Professor Norton for a search for the source of a string of earthquakes, Atlantis. They ride Prof. Norton's rocket submarine searching the sea and little Billy Norton, the professor's son stows away, of course. When they find Atlantis they are caught in a war between peaceful Atlanteans, note their white capes, and war-monging Atlanteans, note their black capes. After many harrowing moments for Crash, Diana, Prof. Norton and Billy, they barely get away with their lives when they escape a tower of Atlantis raised to the surface for the sole purpose of dominating or destroying the Earth (Which one depends on the compliance of the upper world dwellers.)Jack and the Beanstalk
5.648
Overview:
A young boy trades the family cow for magic beans. Ascending the beanstalk with the butcher who sold him the beans, he faces the giant terrorizing his village.Lone Star Ranger
3
Overview:
Texas Ranger Buck Dunne is assigned to round up a gang of bank robbers. The leader of the gang turns out to be the "respectable" Judge Longstreth, making life difficult for Dunne inasmuch as he's in love with Longstreth's niece Barbara.Gangs of Sonora
NYR
Overview:
Commissioner Tredwell is the law of the land and he gets whatever he wants with the help of hired guns and lackey lawyer Conners. The only one who publicly stands up to Tredwell is Beecham of the Clarion. Beecham has his paper burned to the ground and when he starts a petition to make Wyoming a state, taking the power away from Tredwell, he is killed. But when Kansas Kate comes in to visit her son Conners, she sees what is going on and she takes over the paper and keeps the pressure on Tredwill. With this Conners has mixed emotions, but the boys do everything they can to protect Kate and the paper. Written by Tony FontanaMaid of Salem
5.9
Overview:
When a young woman named Barbara Clarke has an affair with adventurer Roger Coverman, it causes a scandal in the Puritanical town of Salem, Massachusetts. After a meddling girl arouses their suspicions, the town's elders accuse Barbara of being a witch. She is tried, convicted of sorcery and sentenced to death. As the townspeople prepare to burn Barbara at the stake, Roger tries desperately to save the woman he loves.Last of the Duanes
6
Overview:
Based on Zane Grey's tale of a man who gains an unfair reputation as a gunfighter while out to avenge his father's death.Git Along Little Dogies
6
Overview:
When war breaks out between oilmen and cattle ranchers, Gene sides with the ranchers until he learns that oil will bring a railraod to town.Captain Kidd
6.065
Overview:
Cutthroat pirate William Kidd captures Admiral Blayne's treasure ship and hides the bounty in a cave. Three years later, Kidd, posing as a respectable merchant captain, offers his services to the King of England. Seeking a social position, Kidd also negotiates for Blayne's title and lands, provided he can prove Blayne was associated with piracy. Launched upon his royal mission, Kidd is unaware that Blayne's son Adam is among the crew, determined to clear his father's name.Custer's Last Stand
4.5
Overview:
Kit Cardigan seeks the killer of his father...among other plot threads leading up to the famous historical incident.Adventures of Red Ryder
5.5
Overview:
Calvin Drake employs a group of low-lifes to drive away land owners along the path of a new railroad; Red Ryder opposes this strategy.Custer's Last Stand
NYR
Overview:
The feature length version of the serial by the same name. A mystical medicine arrow, the key to a lost gold treasure, is lost in one of many Indian attacks. It is recovered by the only two survivors, a Major and his daughter, who become the targets of those who wish to possess it. General George Armstrong Custer and army scout Kid Cardigan attempt to stop the ensuing war over the arrow, but fail in their efforts, which becomes the historic Custer's Last Stand.Colorado Sunset
NYR
Overview:
When his well-meaning sidekick (Smiley Burnette) buys a cow farm instead of a cattle ranch, singing cowpoke Gene Autry prepares to embrace the dairy business. But with a corrupt association bent on driving up milk prices, it's up to newly elected Sheriff Gene to clean up the mess. Country music icon Patsy Montana sings "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," while radio crooners the Texas Rangers perform alongside Autry.A Woman's Face
6.9
Overview:
A female blackmailer with a disfiguring facial scar meets a plastic surgeon who offers her the possibility of looking like a normal woman.Between Men
5
Overview:
When his young son is shot, John Wellington kills the culprit and flees. But his son Johnny recovers and is raised by Sir George. Some twenty years later Johnny sets out to find Sir George's missing granddaughter.Ten Nights in a Bar-room
4.3
Overview:
A man's heavy drinking drives away his family and threatens to destroy his relationship with his little daughter.Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
6
Overview:
Hedda Hopper plays hostess at a party for her (grown) son William (DeWolfe Jr.). Hopper, attends the dedication of the Motion Picture Relief Fund's country home and goes to the Mocambo. There is also a sequence dedicated to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin world premiere of the first short in this series attended by more that a few film stars.The Corsican Brothers
6.7
Overview:
Cultured Mario and outlaw Lucien, twins separated at birth, join forces to avenge their parents' death at the hands of evil Colonna. Because each feels all the same sensations experienced by the other, swordplay is difficult for them. Worse yet, raised very differently, they struggle to find common ground between their conflicting personalities. But to defeat their enemy, the two will have to overcome the obstacles and work as a team.Boss of Hangtown Mesa
NYR
Overview:
It is now an accepted fact that the best of Johnny Mack Brown's Universal westerns were directed by the talented Joseph H. Lewis. Boss of Hangtown Mesa may not be in the same league as the Brown-Lewis classic Arizona Cyclone, but it comes awfully close. This time around, hero Steve Collins (Brown) comes to the aid of Betty Wilkins (Helen Deverell), who has taken over the telegraph-line business established by her uncle John (Henry Hall). The latter was murdered by outlaws who don't cotton to having the territory linked up electronically with the rest of the world.The Mummy's Curse
5.513
Overview:
After being buried in quicksand for the past 25 years, Kharis is set free to roam the rural bayous of Louisiana, as is the soul of his beloved Princess Ananka, still housed in the body of Amina Mansouri, who seeks help and protection at a swamp draining project.Cleopatra
6.1
Overview:
The queen of Egypt barges the Nile and flirts with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar.Acting
1952Lone Star as Tom Crockett
1952Jack and the Beanstalk as The King
1951Hollywood Story as Himself
1950Trail of Robin Hood as Bill Franum
1949Samson and Delilah as Tubal
1949Gun Cargo as Board of Inquiry Chairman
1949Bride of Vengeance as Conti Peruzzi
1949Daughter of the West as Father Vallejo
1947The Perils of Pauline as Western Saloon Set Hero
1946Rolling Home as Rodeo Official
1946My Dog Shep as Carter J. Latham Jr.
1946God's Country as Sandy McTavish
1945Captain Kidd as Capt. Rawson
1945Wildfire as Judge Polson
1944The Mummy's Curse as The Sacristan
1943Frontier Badmen as Dad Courtwright
1942American Empire as Louisiana Judge
1942Tennessee Johnson as Senator Huyler
1942Deep in the Heart of Texas as Colonel Mallory
1942Boss of Hangtown Mesa as Judge Ezra Binns
1942The Silver Bullet as Dr. Thad Morgan
1942Men of Texas as General Sam Houston
1942The Spoilers as Wheaton
1942Lone Star Ranger as Texas Ranger Major McNeil
1942Today I Hang as Warden Burke
1941Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 as Unknown
1941The Corsican Brothers as Priest
1941Last of the Duanes as Texas Ranger Major McNeill
1941Gangs of Sonora as Ward Beecham
1941A Woman's Face as Court Attendant
1940Kit Carson as Don Miguel Murphy
1940Adventures of Red Ryder as Colonel Tom Ryder
1940Hi-Yo Silver as Father McKim
1940Convicted Woman as Commissioner McNeill
1939South of the Border as Padre
1939Rovin' Tumbleweeds as Senator Timothy Nolan
1939Colorado Sunset as Sheriff George Glenn
1939Mexicali Rose as Padre Dominic
1938Shine On Harvest Moon as Milt Brower
1938Santa Fe Stampede as Dave Carson
1938If I Were King as General Barbezier
1938The Secret of Treasure Island as George Brennan Westmore (Editor)
1938The Lone Ranger as Father McKim
1937Public Cowboy No. 1 as Sheriff Matt Doniphon
1937Git Along Little Dogies as Banker Maxwell
1937Maid of Salem as Crown Justice Sewall
1936The Vigilantes Are Coming as Father José
1936Sharad of Atlantis as Sharad
1936The Amazing Exploits of the Clutching Hand as Gordon Gaunt
1936Custer's Last Stand as James Fitzpatrick
1936The Kid Ranger as Bill Mason
1936Custer's Last Stand as James Fitzpatrick
1935The Irish Gringo as Pop Wiley
1935Between Men as John Wellington / Rand
1935The Eagle's Brood as El Toro
1935Powdersmoke Range as Sam Oreham - Banker
1935Hollywood Extra Girl as Crusades Actor (uncredited)
1935The Crusades as Hugo, Duke of Burgundy
1935Million Dollar Haul as Mr. Mallory - Sheila's Dad
1934The Silver Streak as B.J. Dexter
1934The Brand of Hate as Joe Larkins
1934Cleopatra as Lepidus
1934The Scarlet Letter as Gov. Bellingham
1934Happy Landing as Col. Curtis
1934Are We Civilized? as Paul Franklin, Sr.
1934School for Girls as Charles Waltham
1934Good Dame as Judge Flynn
1933Stolen by Gypsies or Beer and Bicycles as Squire Beamish
1933Supernatural as Nicky Hammond
1933Reckless Decision as Rev. John MacDougall
1932Flaming Guns as Henry Ramsey
1932Mr. Robinson Crusoe as William Belmont
1932The Drifter as The Drifter
1931The Wide Open Spaces as U.S. Marshal
1931Law of the Sea as Captain Len Andrews
1931The Pagan Lady as Malcolm 'Mal' Todd
1931A Connecticut Yankee as King Arthur / Inventor
1931Ten Nights in a Bar-room as Joe Morgan
1931The Painted Desert as Cash Holbrook
1930Du Barry, Woman of Passion as Louis XV
1928Tropical Nights as Unknown
1924The Man Who Fights Alone as John Marble
1923The Gunfighter as Billy Buell
1923Brass Commandments as Stephen 'Flash' Lanning
1922Without Compromise as Dick Leighton
1922Moonshine Valley as Ned Connors
1922Shackles of Gold as John Gibbs
1922A Stage Romance as Edmund Kean
1921Perjury as Robert Moore
1921His Greatest Sacrifice as Richard Hall
1920Drag Harlan as Drag Harlan
1920If I Were King as François Villon
1920The Joyous Trouble-Makers as William Steele
1920The Orphan as The Orphan
1919Wings of the Morning as Capt. Robert Anstruther
1919The Last of the Duanes as Buck Duane
1919Wolves of the Night as Bruce Andrews
1919The Lone Star Ranger as Steele
1919The Man Hunter as George Arnold
1918The Rainbow Trail as Lassiter / Shefford
1918Riders of the Purple Sage as Lassiter
1918True Blue as Bob McKeever
1918Rough and Ready as Bill Stratton
1917The Heart of a Lion as Barney Kemper
1917Les Misérables as Jean Valjean
1917When a Man Sees Red as Larry Smith
1917The Conqueror as Sam Houston
1917American Methods as William Armstrong
1917A Tale of Two Cities as Charles Darnay / Sydney Carton
1917The Price of Silence as Senator Frank Deering
1916Fires of Conscience as George Baxter
1916The Bondman as Stephen Orry/Jason Orry
1915The Wonderful Adventure as Martin Stanley
1915Samson as Maurice Brachard
1914The Sign of the Cross as Marcus Superbus
1914The Spoilers as Roy Glenister