William Courtright (February 10, 1848 – March 6, 1933) was an American film actor.

Early years

He was born Theodore Courtright in New Milford, Illinois, and was educated in the public schools of Ione, California. When he was 16, he ran away from home to join a stock theater company.

Career

Courtright's acting career began with Shakespearean plays, as he worked with Lawrence Barrett. Before entering the film industry, he appeared in

minstrel show The minstrel show, also called minstrelsy, was an American form of racist theatrical entertainment developed in the early 19th century. Each show consisted of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances that depicted people spec ...

s. He made a world tour as a minstrel, with the tour's activities including performing before King Edward VII. Sometimes billed as Billy Courtright, he appeared in 68 films between 1912 and 1930. He worked with D. W. Griffith and in his later career at the Hal Roach Studios, where he appeared in several early Laurel and Hardy comedies. Courtright was still acting at age 80. An item in the October 28, 1928, edition of ''

The Cincinnati Enquirer ''The Cincinnati Enquirer'' is a morning daily newspaper published by Gannett in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. First published in 1841, the ''Enquirer'' is the last remaining daily newspaper in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, al ...

'' described him as "the oldest living motion-picture actor on the screen ..." His best-known role was Oliver Hardy's wealthy Uncle Bernal in '' That's My Wife'' (1929). His last film, the Our Gang comedy ''

Teacher's Pet Teacher's pet is a person that has an advantageous position compared to other students, where the teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or v ...

'', was also his first sound film.

Personal life

In 1873, Courtright married actress Jennie Lee, and they worked together in vaudeville for 12 years as Courtright and Lee. They also appeared together in '' Intolerance''. Courtright died in Ione, California.

Partial filmography

* '' If We Only Knew'' (1913) * '' The Ranchero's Revenge'' (1913) * '' In Diplomatic Circles'' (1913) * '' The Sorrowful Shore'' (1913) * ''

The Enemy's Baby ''The Enemy's Baby'' is a 1913 American drama film, possibly directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Lionel Barrymore as Ben Brown * William J. Butler as Sam Miller, the Grandfather * Kate Bruce as Sam Miller's Wife * Harry Carey as Miller * Clai ...

'' (1913) * '' Intolerance'' (1916) * ''

The Deciding Kiss ''The Deciding Kiss'' is a 1918 American comedy film directed by Tod Browning. The film was considered a lost film for decades. A print was discovered at the French archive Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée in Fort de Bois-d'Arcy. ...

'' (1918) * '' Hitting the High Spots'' (1918) * '' Hard Boiled'' (1919) * ''

Ace of the Saddle ''Ace of the Saddle'' is a 1919 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost. Plot As described in a film magazine, Cheyenne Harry Henderson (Carey) owns a cattle ranch on th ...

'' (1919) * '' The Jailbird'' (1920) * '' The Blooming Angel'' (1920) * ''

45 Minutes from Broadway ''45 Minutes from Broadway'' is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Joseph De Grasse and starring Charles Ray, Dorothy Devore and Eugenie Besserer.Connelly p.351 It was based on the 1906 play of the same title by George M. Cohan. Ca ...

'' (1920) * '' The Speed Girl'' (1921) * '' The Millionaire'' (1921) * ''

Man Under Cover ''Man Under Cover'' is a 1922 American crime film directed by Tod Browning and starring Herbert Rawlinson and George Hernandez. A copy of ''Man Under Cover'' is housed at the Museum of Modern Art. Plot As described in a film magazine, Paul Port ...

'' (1922) * ''

At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern ''At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern '' is a 1922 American silent comedy drama film directed by Lloyd Ingraham, who co-wrote the film adaption with David Kirkland. It stars Betty Ross Clarke, Earl Schenck, and Wade Boteler. The film is today con ...

'' (1922) * '' Bell Boy 13'' (1923) * ''

The Girl I Loved ''The Girl I Loved'' is a 1923 American drama silent film directed by Joe De Grasse and written by Albert Ray. The film stars Charles Ray, Patsy Ruth Miller, Ramsey Wallace, Edythe Chapman and William Courtright. The film was released on Feb ...

'' (1923) * '' A Man of Action'' (1923) * '' The Heart Buster'' (1924) * '' Are Parents People?'' (1925) * ''

The Trouble with Wives ''The Trouble with Wives'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair, written by Sada Cowan and Howard Higgin, and starring Florence Vidor, Tom Moore, Esther Ralston, Ford Sterling, Lucy Beaumont, and Edgar Kennedy. ...

'' (1925) * ''

Some Pun'kins ''Some Pun'kins'' is a 1925 American silent comedy drama film directed by Jerome Storm and starring Charles Ray, Duane Thompson, and George Fawcett. It is also known by the alternative title of ''The Farmer's Boy''. Plot As described in a re ...

'' (1925) * '' Thank You'' (1925) * '' All Around Frying Pan'' (1925) * ''

The Nickel-Hopper ''The Nickel-Hopper'' is a 1926 American short silent comedy film starring Mabel Normand and featuring Oliver Hardy and Boris Karloff in minor uncredited roles. Cast * Mabel Normand as Paddy, the nickel hopper * Michael Visaroff as Paddy's fa ...

'' (1926) * '' The Tough Guy'' (1926) * ''

A Regular Scout ''A Regular Scout'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by David Kirkland and starring Fred Thomson, Olive Hasbrouck, and William Courtright William Courtright (February 10, 1848 – March 6, 1933) was an American film acto ...

'' (1926) * '' The Two-Gun Man'' (1926) * ''

Lone Hand Saunders ''Lone Hand Saunders'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring Fred Thomson, Bess Flowers, and Frank Hagney.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 266 Cast * Fred Thomson as Fred Saunders ...

'' (1926) * ''

For Wives Only ''For Wives Only'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Victor Heerman and starring Marie Prevost, Victor Varconi and Charles K. Gerrard.Munden p.265 Cast * Marie Prevost as Laura Rittenhaus * Victor Varconi as Dr. Rittenhaus * ...

'' (1926) * '' Hands Across the Border'' (1926) * '' On the Front Page'' (1926) * ''

Don Mike ''Don Mike'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Fred Thomson, Ruth Clifford and Noah Young.Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema p.266 It is set in Old California. Cast * Fred Thomson as Don ...

'' (1927) * '' Duck Soup'' (1927) * '' Arizona Nights'' (1927) * ''

Silver Comes Through ''Silver Comes Through'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Fred Thomson, Edna Murphy, and William Courtright.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 266 Cast * Fred Thomson as Fred * E ...

'' (1927) * '' The Glorious Fourth'' (1927) * '' Jesse James'' (1927) * '' The Pioneer Scout'' (1928) * ''

The Sunset Legion ''The Sunset Legion'' is a lost 1928 American silent Western film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and Alfred L. Werker, written by Garrett Graham and Frances Marion, and starring Fred Thomson, Edna Murphy, William Courtright, and Harry Woods. It w ...

'' (1928) * '' That's My Wife'' (1929)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Courtright, William 1848 births 1933 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors Male actors from Illinois People from Winnebago County, Illinois 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American politicians