Personal Info
Birth date
1879-11-06 (145 Years)
Day of death
1948-07-11
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Also known as
William King Baggot
King Baggott
King Baggot
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William King Baggot (November 7, 1879 – July 11, 1948) was an American actor, film director and screenwriter. He was an internationally famous movie star of the silent film era. The first individually publicized leading man in America, Baggot was referred to as "King of the Movies", "The Most Photographed Man in the World", and "The Man Whose Face Is As Familiar As The Man In The Moon". Baggot appeared in over 300 motion pictures from 1909 to 1947, wrote 18 screenplays, and directed 45 movies from 1912 to 1928, including The Lie (1912), Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman (1925), and The House of Scandal (1928). He also directed William S. Hart in his most famous western, Tumbleweeds (1925). Among his film appearances, Baggot was best known for The Scarlet Letter (1911), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913), and Ivanhoe (1913). Baggot began his career on the stage, in a Shakespearean stock company, and toured throughout the U.S. While acting in stock in St. Louis in 1909, he was cast as supporting player in the Schubert touring production of The Wishing Ring. When The Wishing Ring closed in Chicago, Baggot returned to New York to join another company. Upon a chance meeting with Harry Solter, who was directing movies for Carl Laemmle at Independent Moving Pictures Company (IMP), he was persuaded to go with Solter to the studio. Baggot became interested in the fledgling industry and decided to turn picture player. His first film was the romance short The Awakening of Bess (1909) opposite Florence Lawrence. It was directed by Harry Solter, her husband, at IMP in Fort Lee, New Jersey. At a time when screen actors worked anonymously, Baggot and Lawrence became the first "movie stars" to be given billing, a marquee, and promotion in advertising. Baggot starred in at least 42 movies opposite Lawrence from 1909 to 1911. In the latter year, he starred in at least 16 movies with Mary Pickford. He also began writing screenplays and directing, all the while becoming a major star internationally. When he appeared "in person" at theatres he was mobbed at stage doors. By 1912, he was so famous that when he took the leading part in forming the prestigious Screen Club in New York, the first organization of its kind strictly for movie people, he was the natural choice for its first president. King Baggot died in Los Angeles, California in 1948, age 68. For his contributions to the film industry, Baggot received a motion pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. His star is located at 6312 Hollywood Boulevard.
Filmography
The Philadelphia Story
7.632
Overview:
When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.The Postman Always Rings Twice
7.046
Overview:
A married woman and a drifter fall in love, then plot to murder her husband.A Night at the Opera
7.441
Overview:
The Marx Brothers take on high society and the opera world to bring two lovers together. A sly business manager and two wacky friends of two opera singers help them achieve success while humiliating their stuffy and snobbish enemies.Boys Town
6.739
Overview:
Devout but iron-willed Father Flanagan leads a community called Boys Town, a different sort of juvenile detention facility where, instead of being treated as underage criminals, the boys are shepherded into making themselves better people. But hard-nosed petty thief and pool shark Whitey Marsh, the impulsive and violent younger brother of an imprisoned murderer, might be too much for the good father's tough-love system.Marie Antoinette
6.6
Overview:
The young Austrian princess Marie Antoinette is arranged to marry Louis XVI, future king of France, in a politically advantageous marriage for the rival countries. The opulent Marie indulges in various whims and flirtations. When Louis XV passes and Louis XVI ascends the French throne, his queen's extravagant lifestyle earns the hatred of the French people, who despise her Austrian heritage.Ziegfeld Girl
6.5
Overview:
Discovery by Flo Ziegfeld changes a girl's life but not necessarily for the better, as three beautiful women find out when they join the spectacle on Broadway: Susan, the singer who must leave behind her ageing vaudevillian father; vulnerable Sheila, the working girl pursued both by a millionaire and by her loyal boyfriend from Flatbush; and the mysterious European beauty Sandra, whose concert violinist husband cannot endure the thought of their escaping from poverty by promenading her glamor in skimpy costumes.San Francisco
6.6
Overview:
A beautiful singer and a battling priest try to reform a Barbary Coast saloon owner in the days before the great earthquake and subsequent fires in 1906.Come Live with Me
7
Overview:
Seeking US citizenship, a Viennese refugee arranges a marriage of convenience with a struggling writer.The Bad Sister
5.4
Overview:
Marianne falls in love with con man Valentine who uses their relation to get her father's endorsement on a money-raising scheme. He runs off with the money and Marianne, later dumping her. Her sister Laura loves Dr. Lindley although she knows he loves Marianne. Marianne returns and marries a wealthy young man, and Lindley turns his love toward Laura.The Big Store
6.225
Overview:
A detective is hired to protect the life of a singer, who has recently inherited a department store, from the store's crooked manager.The Devil-Doll
6.8
Overview:
Wrongfully convicted of a robbery and murder, Paul Lavond breaks out of prison with a genius scientist who has devised a way to shrink humans. When the scientist dies during the escape, Lavond heads for his lab, using the shrinking technology to get even with those who framed him and vindicate himself in both the public eye and the eyes of his daughter, Lorraine. When an accident leaves a crazed assistant dead, however, Lavond must again make an escape.Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
5.7
Overview:
When two bumbling barbers act as agents for a talented but unknown singer, they stage a phony murder in order to get him a plum role.Mississippi
6.7
Overview:
A young pacifist after refusing on principle to defend her sweetheart's honor and being banished in disgrace, joins a riverboat troupe as a singer, acquires a reputation as a crackshot after a saloon brawl in which the villain of the piece accidentally kills himself with his own gun, falls in love with his former fianceé's sister and finally bullies an apprehensive family into accepting him.The Girl in the Taxi
7
Overview:
The story begins with a man and a woman, both married, who flag the same taxi and then decide to share it, as they have the same restaurant destination. Various naughty supper rendezvous, and much hiding under tables or behind screens, ensue.Bitter Sweet
5.833
Overview:
A woman runs away with her music teacher in order to escape an arranged marriage, but they struggle to make ends meet.What Price Hollywood?
6.708
Overview:
Sassy and ambitious waitress Mary Evans amuses and befriends amiable seldom-sober Hollywood film director Max Carey when he stumbles into her restaurant. Max invites Mary to his film premiere and, after a night of drinking and carousing, Mary is granted a screen test. A studio contract follows. Just as Mary finds her dreams coming true, Carey’s life and career begins its descent.The Death Kiss
5.1
Overview:
When a movie actor is shot and killed during production, the true feelings about the actor begin to surface. As the studio heads worry about negative publicity, one of the writers tags along as the killing is investigated and clues begin to surface.The Ice Follies of 1939
5.6
Overview:
Mary and Larry are are a modestly successful skating team. Shortly after their marriage, Mary gets a picture contract, while Larry is sitting at home, out of work.Rio Rita
5.8
Overview:
Doc and Wishey run into some Nazi-agents, who want to smuggle bombs into the USA from a Mexican border hotel.Romance in the Rain
NYR
Overview:
The publisher of a tabloid-type romance magazine decides to get some publicity by sponsoring a "Cinderella and Prince Charming" contest.Dancing Co-Ed
6.2
Overview:
After discovering his star dancer is expecting and can't perform, film producer H.W. Workman and his publicist concoct a scheme to stage a college dance contest to find a new star.The Ghost Comes Home
5
Overview:
Comic mayhem results when a small town pet store owner, mistakenly believed killed during a sea voyage, turns up very much alive.I Take This Woman
6.2
Overview:
On return from Europe Dr. Decker foils glamour girl Georgi from jumping overboard. At Decker's suggestion to keep busy, she assists at his clinic in the slums.Stronger Than Desire
5.8
Overview:
An attorney handling a murder case in unaware his own wife played a crucial role in the killing.The Master and the Man
NYR
Overview:
A lost film. Henry Jenkins, just released from prison visits his old confederate in crime, Basil King, who is living in affluence. King is not overjoyed to see him, but Jenkins comes just in time as King's butler has left and he is about to entertain lavishly. King loves Elsie Graham, who has given her heart to Ralph Webster and both are guests at the reception. Ralph takes advantage of an opportunity and asks Elsie to marry him and she consents. He has forgotten the ring and announces he will leave the party to get it. King cannot resist the temptation to steal an expensive neckless from one of the guests but the act is noted by Jenkins. The loss is discovered and suspicion falls upon Ralph, who had just left the party.Acting
2011Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films as Himself (archive footage)
1947Merton of the Movies as Man in Audience (uncredited)
1947My Brother Talks to Horses as Bank Employee (uncredited)
1946The Secret Heart as Man at Graduation Ceremony
1946The Postman Always Rings Twice as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1945Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood as Barbershop Patron (uncredited)
1945Dangerous Partners as Lunch Room Customer (uncredited)
1943Swing Fever as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1942Her Cardboard Lover as Police Officer in Courtroom (uncredited)
1942Jackass Mail as Old Miner
1942Fingers at the Window as Psychiatrist at Lecture (uncredited)
1942Rio Rita as Hotel Guest (uncredited)
1941Honky Tonk as Townsman
1941The Big Store as Store Employee (uncredited)
1941Ziegfeld Girl as Man in Audience (uncredited)
1941Come Live with Me as Doorman
1940The Philadelphia Story as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
1940Gallant Sons as Man on Street / Man in Audience (uncredited)
1940Bitter Sweet as Cafe Patron (uncredited)
1940The Ghost Comes Home as Townsman at Banquet (uncredited)
1940I Take This Woman as Man in Subway (uncredited)
1939Dancing Co-Ed as Man in Casting Office (uncredited)
1939Stronger Than Desire as Juror (uncredited)
1939The Ice Follies of 1939 as Man in Audience (uncredited)
1938Opening Day as Baseball Fan
1938Stablemates as Bettor
1938Boys Town as Derelict in Mission (uncredited)
1938Marie Antoinette as Nobleman at Court (uncredited)
1938Think It Over as Unknown
1938Snow Gets in Your Eyes as Department Store Customer (uncredited)
1938That Mothers Might Live as Passerby (uncredited)
1938Arsène Lupin Returns as Detective (uncredited)
1937A Night at the Movies as Movie Patron (uncredited)
1937The Emperor's Candlesticks as Customs Official (uncredited)
1937It May Happen to You as Man in Hospital (uncredited)
1937Parnell as Man in Office
1937Torture Money as False Accident Witness (uncredited)
1936Mad Holiday as Film Director (uncredited)
1936Sworn Enemy as Accident Witness (uncredited)
1936The Devil-Doll as Detective Pierre (uncredited)
1936San Francisco as Earthquake Survivor (uncredited)
1936The Adventures of Frank Merriwell as Chemistry Professor
1935A Night at the Opera as Dignitary (uncredited)
19353 Kids and a Queen as Druggist
1935Chinatown Squad as Patrol Wagon Guard
1935The Call of the Savage as Dr. Pierce
1935Mississippi as Gambler (uncredited)
1935Sweepstake Annie as Motion Picture Studio Executive (uncredited)
1935A Notorious Gentleman as Unknown
1934Romance in the Rain as Milton McGillicuddy
1934The Red Rider as Townsman
1934Beloved as Second Doctor
1933I Loved a Woman as Banker (uncredited)
1932The Death Kiss as Al Payne
1932Afraid to Talk as Police Officer (uncredited)
1932The Big Flash as Hinkle
1932What Price Hollywood? as Department Head (uncredited)
1932Police Court as Harry Field
1932Girl of the Rio as Maitre d'hotel, Purple Pigeon Cafe
1931Graft as Ship's Captain
1931Sweepstakes as Mike - Weber's Trainer
1931The Bad Sister as Policeman on Street (uncredited)
1930Once a Gentleman as Van Warner
1930The Czar of Broadway as Unknown
1923The Thrill Chaser as Himself - Cameo
1921The Girl in the Taxi as Maj. Frederick Smith
1920The Forbidden Thing as Dave
1920Life's Twist as Jim Sargent
1920The Cheater as Lord Asgarby
1919The Hawk's Trail as Unknown
1918Building for Democracy as The Husband
1918Kildare of Storm as Basil Kildare
1918The Eagle's Eye as Harrison Grant
1918Mission of the War Chest as Unknown
1916The Silent Stranger as The Silent Stranger
1916The Man from Nowhere as James Herron
1916Half a Rogue as Unknown
1915The Suburban as Donald Gordon
1915The Marble Heart as Raphael / Phidias
1914The Great Universal Mystery as Himself
1914Absinthe as Jean Dumas
1913Ivanhoe as Wilfred of Ivanhoe
1913The Wanderer as The Shepherd
1913Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
1912Up Against It as Amos Bentley
1912A Cave Man Wooing as George - the 'Sissy' Hero
1912Shamus O'Brien as Shamus O'Brien
1911Over the Hills as Wayne Holland
1911The Better Way as Louis Perry - a Reformed Crook
1911The Rose's Story as Gerald Kinney
1911The Call of the Song as Hugh Norton
1911Science as Dr. Crawford
1911At a Quarter of Two as Dan Nolan - the Burglar
1911For the Queen's Honor as The King
1911In the Sultan's Garden as Lt. Robbins
1911The Master and the Man as Basil King
1911The Fair Dentist as Dental Patient
1911The Temptress as Gilbert Irving
1911Second Sight as Tom Mooreland
1911The Scarlet Letter as Reverend Dimmesdale
1911While There is hope, There is Life as Alfred King
1911The Wife’s Awakening as Enoch Harrington
1911Sweet Memories as Edward Jackson
1911The Secret of the Palm as Cecil Abbott
1911Tracked as Roger Densmore
1911Pictureland as Pablo
1911At the Duke's Command as Edward, the Duke's Nephew
1911The Mirror as Unknown
1910The Count of Montebello as Percy
1910All the World’s a Stage as Unknown
1910Pressed Roses as Unknown
1910Debt as Unknown
1910The Taming of Jane as Unknown
1910Once Upon a Time as Unknown
1910The Irony of Fate as Unknown
1910Bear Ye One Another’s Burdens as George Rand
1910Old Heads and Young Hearts as Unknown
1910The Time-Lock Safe as The Father
1910The Call of the Circus as Unknown
1910A Game for Two as Clark, the Best Friend
1910A Reno Romance as Jack
1910The Eternal Triangle as The Dashing Young Count
1910The Doctor's Perfidy as Unknown
1910Two Men as The Tenderfoot
1910The New Shawl as Jacques
1910The Maelstrom as Unknown
1910His Second Wife as Unknown
1910The Miser’s Daughter as Unknown
1910Transfusion as Unknown
1910Jane and the Stranger as The Stranger
1910The Blind Man’s Tact as Unknown
1910The Right of Love as Unknown
1910The Winning Punch as Unknown
1909The Awakening of Bess as Bess' Sweetheart
1909Love's Stratagem as The Boy
Camera
1981Beatlemania ... Director of Photography
Writing
1931Sporting Chance ... Story
1923The Darling of New York ... Story
1911The Rose's Story ... Scenario Writer
Directing
1928Romance of a Rogue ... Director
1927The Notorious Lady ... Director
1927Perch of the Devil ... Director
1926Lovey Mary ... Director
1925Tumbleweeds ... Director
1925The Home Maker ... Director
1925Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman ... Director
1925The Tornado ... Director
1924The Whispered Name ... Director
1923The Darling of New York ... Director
1923Gossip ... Director
1923The Love Letter ... Director
1922A Dangerous Game ... Director
1922The Kentucky Derby ... Director
1922The Lavender Bath Lady ... Director
1922Human Hearts ... Director
1922Kissed ... Director
1921Nobody's Fool ... Director
1921Moonlight Follies ... Director
1921Cheated Love ... Director
1916The Silent Stranger ... Director