Courtenay Foote (22 November 1878 – 4 May 1925) was an English stage and
silent film
A silent film is a film without synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...
actor.
Born in Yorkshire, England,
Foote attended Oxford, studied engineering in Germany, and worked as a civil engineer in Scotland. Friends who heard him recite blank verse encouraged him to become an actor, but his grandfather opposed that idea. Foote abandoned the plan for a while and became a broker, but his lack of success in that field led his grandfather to drop his opposition to acting.
An introduction to
F. R. Benson, followed by Foote's recitations as an audition, resulted in Foote's first acting job. He performed with Benson's troupe for 18 months, progressing from smaller parts to more significant roles. He went on to London, performing at the Haymarket Theatre, the Court Theatre, and the Shakesperean Festival.
Foote's first play in the United States was ''The Debtors'', in which he debuted as Arthur Clenham in New York, followed by a touring production.
A developing interest in motion pictures led Foote to visit Vitagraph Studios several times, each visit increasing his interest, His film debut was in the initial ''Captain Barnacle'' production. He went on to work for Reliance and Majestic studios.
He appeared with
George Arliss
George Arliss (born Augustus George Andrews; 10 April 1868 – 5 February 1946) was an English actor, author, playwright, and filmmaker who found success in the United States. He was the first British actor to win an Academy Award – which he ...
on stage in 1911 in the long running play ''Disraeli''. He appeared in 59 films between 1910 and 1924. He was born in
Harrogate
Harrogate ( ) is a spa town and civil parish in the North Yorkshire District, district and North Yorkshire, county of North Yorkshire, England. Historic counties of England, Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is a tourist de ...
,
West Riding of Yorkshire
The West Riding of Yorkshire was one of three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the riding was an administrative county named County of York, West Riding. The Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire, lieu ...
and died in Italy.
Partial filmography
* ''
So Near, Yet so Far'' (1912)
* ''
The Quicksands'' (1914)
* ''
Home, Sweet Home'' (1914)
* ''
The Pursuit of the Phantom'' (1914)
* ''
Buckshot John'' (1915)
* ''
Captain Courtesy'' (1915)
* ''
Hypocrites'' (1915)
* ''
His Parisian Wife'' (1919)
* ''
The Two Brides'' (1919)
* ''
The Bronze Bell'' (1921)
* ''
The Passion Flower'' (1921)
* ''
Fascination'' (1922)
* ''
Ashes of Vengeance'' (1923)
* ''
Little Old New York'' (1923)
* ''
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
''Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman'' is the twelfth published novel by English author Thomas Hardy. It initially appeared in a Book censorship, censored and Serialized novel, serialised version, published by the British illustrated newsp ...
'' (1924)
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Foote, Courtenay
1878 births
1925 deaths
English male film actors
English male silent film actors
Male actors from Harrogate
20th-century English male actors
English expatriates in Italy