Richard Garrick (December 27, 1878 – August 21, 1962) was an Irish-born American actor and director.

Life and career

Garrick was born Richard Thomas O'Brien in the townland of

Portlaw Portlaw ( or ''Port Lách'') is a town in County Waterford, Ireland. It is also a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore. It is situated approximately 14 km west-north-west of Waterford City, where the Clodiagh me ...

County Waterford County Waterford () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is named after the city of Waterford. ...

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

. His father, James E. O'Brien, was a master tailor in that town, counting among his clients Lord Waterford as well as other nobility and landed gentry. In 1882, James left Portlaw for the United States. He landed in

North Adams, Massachusetts North Adams is a city in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its population was 12,961 as of the 2020 census. Best known as the home of the largest contempor ...

, where there were cotton mills and the need for a clothesmaker. Two years later, his wife Johanna and children followed. In 1898, Garrick enlisted in the

U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of the United Stat ...

. He served as a corporal in Company M, U.S. 26th Infantry Regiment stationed in Miagao, Iloilo, in the

Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...

in 1900 during the

Philippine–American War The Philippine–American War, known alternatively as the Philippine Insurrection, Filipino–American War, or Tagalog Insurgency, emerged following the conclusion of the Spanish–American War in December 1898 when the United States annexed th ...

. When he returned to North Adams, he worked for a time in his father's tailor shop, then struck out on his own. He ventured to New York City where he landed roles in stage productions, among them ''The Boys of Company B'' (1907), ''The Flag Lieutenant'' (1909), ''The Fourth Estate,'' (1909), and ''The Monkey's Paw''. By 1912 Garrick was in Los Angeles and became a charter member of The Reel Club. Through the early 1910s, Garrick acted in, as well as directed,

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 ...

s, including '' Colonel Custard's Last Stand'' (1914). In 1915, he joined the Gaumont Company and was placed in charge of the second Rialto Star Feature Company. By 1916, Garrick was the director general of Gaumont's

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...

, studios. He left Gaumont to open Garrick Studios Company, offering a five-acre (20,000 m²) facility in Jacksonville that would house enough equipment and space for 20 companies to work simultaneously. As the 1916–1917 season approached, however, the mood towards making films in Jacksonville shifted, and many residents opposed the industry's presence. Garrick went overseas in 1919 and directed films in London and Paris. In 1922, he was named production manager of a new film corporation in Italy. Overall, he directed 30 silent films during his career. When he returned to the United States, it was to pursue his first love — stage acting. During World War II, he was among the cast of ''

Ten Little Indians "Ten Little Indians" is an American children's Counting-out game, counting out rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 12976. In 1868, songwriter Septimus Winner adapted it as a song, then calledTen Little Injuns, for a minstrel show. Lyr ...

'', a production of the U.S. Army Special Service/USO Camp Shows in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. In 1947, Garrick was once again on stage in New York City, performing as the mental-health doctor or "stranger" in the original production of ''

A Streetcar Named Desire ''A Streetcar Named Desire'' is a play written by Tennessee Williams and first performed on Broadway on December 3, 1947. The play dramatizes the experiences of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle who, after encountering a series of pe ...

'', which co-starred

Marlon Brando Marlon Brando Jr. (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004) was an American actor. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cinema actors of the 20th century,''Movies in American History: An Encyclopedia''

and

Jessica Tandy Jessie Alice Tandy (7 June 1909 – 11 September 1994) was a British actress. An icon in the film industry, she appeared in over 100 stage productions and had more than 60 roles in film and TV, receiving an Academy Award, four Tony Awards, a BAF ...

. He reprised that role in the 1951 film version of the play. His appearances in both the play and

film adaptation A film adaptation transfers the details or story of an existing source text, such as a novel, into a feature film. This transfer can involve adapting most details of the source text closely, including characters or plot points, or the original sou ...

marked the start of a second film career for Garrick. During the 1950s, he played small supporting roles in numerous Hollywood movies. His television acting credits include the role of Benjamin Franklin in ''Night Strike'' on ''Calvacade of America'' (April 29, 1953 and October 19, 1954); and the role of Thaddeus Grimshaw in the episode ''Royal Carriage'' on ''My Friend Flicka''

My Friend Flicka ''My Friend Flicka'' is a 1941 novel by Mary O'Hara, about Ken McLaughlin, the son of a Wyoming rancher, and his mustang horse Flicka. It was the first in a trilogy, followed by ''Thunderhead'' (1943) and ''Green Grass of Wyoming'' (1946). The ...

(March 16, 1956). Throughout his career, Garrick performed along with some of the brightest actors and actresses in stage and film history, including

James Arness James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 – June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the series ''Gunsmoke''. He has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in f ...

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Patricia Neal Patricia Neal (born Patsy Louise Neal; January 20, 1926 – August 8, 2010) was an American actress of stage and screen. She is well known for, among other roles, playing World WarII widow Helen Benson in ''The Day the Earth Stood Still'' (195 ...

Donald O'Connor Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 – September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. He came to fame in a series of films in which he co-starred, in succession, with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talki ...

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Anthony Quinn Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca (April 21, 1915 – June 3, 2001), known as Anthony Quinn, was an American actor. He was known for his portrayal of earthy, passionate characters "marked by a brutal and elemental virility" in over 100 ...

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Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starri ...

Jean Simmons Jean Merilyn Simmons (31 January 1929 – 22 January 2010) was a British actress and singer. One of J. Arthur Rank's "well-spoken young starlets", she appeared predominantly in films, beginning with those made in Britain during and after the ...

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and

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. Garrick taught at the

American Academy of Dramatic Arts The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) is a Private college, private drama school with two locations, one in New York City and one in Los Angeles. The academy offers an associate degree in occupational studies and teaches drama and related ...

, and in 1930 he opened the Richard Garrick Studio in Santa Ana, California, to teach drama, English, public speaking, and other subjects to aspiring actors. Garrick died on August 21, 1962, in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

and is buried as a U.S. veteran at

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is a federal United States National Cemetery System, military cemetery in San Diego, California. It is located on the grounds of the former Army coastal artillery station Naval Base Point Loma, Fort Rosecrans a ...

San Diego San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

Director

* ''A Heart Reclaimed'' (1912) * ''The Part of Her Life'' (1912) * ''

The Laird's Daughter ''The Laird's Daughter'' is a 1912 American silent film drama produced by Oscar Eagle. The film stars Allen Mathes, Adrienne Kroell and Walter Roberts. The film status is uncertain but a release flier survives. It was written by Emmett Campbell H ...

'' (1912) * '' His Father's Bugle'' (1912) * ''Officer Murray'' (1912) * ''By-Gone Days'' (1913) * '' Colonel Custard's Last Stand'' (1914) * ''A Wondrous Melody'' (1914) * '' A Tangle in Hearts'' (1915) * ''The Idol of the Stage'' (1916 film) - Also acted in the role of Clark Porter * ''The Drifter'' (1916) * '' The House with Nobody in It'' (1915) * ''Quality of Faith'' (1916) * ''

According to Law ''According to Law'' () is a 1919 German silent film directed by Willy Grunwald and starring Asta Nielsen and Georgine Sobjeska.Before Caligari p. 488 It was inspired by Dostoevsky's ''Crime and Punishment''. Cast * Georgine Sobjeska as Widow Wal ...

'' (1916) * '' A Rank Outsider'' (1920) * ''

Trent's Last Case Trent's Last Case may refer to: * Trent's Last Case (novel), a 1913 detective novel by E. C. Bentley * Trent's Last Case (1920 film), a British silent crime film * Trent's Last Case (1929 film), an American sound part-talkie Pre-Code detective f ...

'' (1920) * '' The Pride of the Fancy'' (1920) * ''

The Romance of a Movie Star ''The Romance of a Movie Star'' is a 1920 British silent romance film directed by Richard Garrick and starring Violet Hopson, Stewart Rome and Gregory Scott.Low p.438 It is based on the novel ''The World's Best Girl'' by Coralie Stanton. Plot ...

'' (1920)

Actor

* ''A Certain Party'' (1911 play) - Roundsman Timothy Moline * ''The Deep Purple'' (1911 film) - Inspector Bruce * ''The Mistress of the Air'' (1914 film) - Tom Hendricks, the Villain * '' Tess of the Storm Country'' (1914 film) - Ben Letts * '' The House with Nobody in It'' (1915 film) * ''The Yellow Streak'' (1915 film) * ''The Collingsby Pearls'' (1915 film) * '' Daughter of Destiny'' (1917) - Graham West * '' Nell of the Circus'' (1922) * ''Le soleil de minuit'' (1926) * ''

Desire Under the Elms ''Desire Under the Elms'' is a 1924 play written by Eugene O'Neill. Like ''Mourning Becomes Electra'', ''Desire Under the Elms'' signifies an attempt by O'Neill to adapt plot elements and themes of Greek tragedy to a rural New England settin ...

'' (1940 play) - Old Ephraim * ''

Deep Are the Roots ''Deep Are the Roots'' is a 1945 play by Arnaud d'Usseau and James Gow about a decorated African-American soldier who has returned from World War II. Plot Lieutenant Brett Charles returns to the Deep South, where he grew up as the son of the hou ...

'' (1946 play), Fulton Theatre, New York, NY - Sheriff Serkin * ''

Boomerang A boomerang () is a thrown tool typically constructed with airfoil sections and designed to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight, designed to return to the thrower. The origin of the word is from Australian Aborigin ...

'' (1947 film) - Graham Rogers - Storekeeper (uncredited) * ''

Green Grass of Wyoming ''Green Grass of Wyoming'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Louis King and starring Peggy Cummins, Charles Coburn and Robert Arthur. The screenplay, written by Martin Berkeley, is based on the third book in the popular, "My Friend ...

'' (1948 film) - Charlie - Old-Timer * ''

'' (1947 play) - A Doctor * ''

'' (1951 film) - A Doctor * ''

Quo Vadis ''Quo vadis?'' (, ) is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you going?". It is commonly translated, quoting the KJV translation of John 13:36, as "Whither goest thou?" The phrase originates from the Christian tradition regarding Saint Peter's fi ...

'' (1951 film) - Slave (uncredited) * ''

Viva Zapata! ''Viva Zapata!'' is a 1952 American biographical Western film directed by Elia Kazan, dramatizing the life of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata from his peasant upbringing through his rise to power in the early 1900s and his death in 1919. I ...

'' (1952 film) - Old General * ''

Dreamboat "Dreamboat" is a popular music song, the words and music to which were written by Jack Hoffman, (sometimes incorrectly attributed to Al Hoffman). A version produced by Walter Ridley, and performed by Alma Cogan, reached number 1 in the UK Sin ...

'' (1952 film) - Judge Bowles * ''

O. Henry's Full House ''O. Henry's Full House'' is a 1952 American anthology film made by 20th Century Fox, consisting of five films, each based on a story by O. Henry. The film was produced by André Hakim and directed by five directors from five screenplays with ...

'' (1952 film) - Doctor (segment "The Last Leaf") * ''

Bonzo Goes to College ''Bonzo Goes to College'' is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Frederick De Cordova and starring Maureen O'Sullivan, Edmund Gwenn, Charles Drake, Gigi Perreau, Gene Lockhart, and Bonzo. It is a sequel to the 1951 film ''Bedtime for Bonzo' ...

'' (1952 film) - Judge George Simpkins * '' Something for the Birds'' (1952 film) - Chandler * ''

Stars and Stripes Forever "The Stars and Stripes Forever" is a patriotic American march written and composed by John Philip Sousa in 1896. By a 1987 act of the U.S. Congress, it is the official National March of the United States of America. History In his 1928 autobi ...

'' (1952 film) - Secretary of the Navy (uncredited) * ''

Call Me Madam ''Call Me Madam'' is a Broadway musical written by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The musical is a satire on politics and foreign policy that spoofs postwar America's penchant for lending billions ...

'' (1953 film) - Supreme Court Justice (uncredited) * ''

Trouble Along the Way ''Trouble Along the Way'' is a 1953 American comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring John Wayne and Donna Reed, with a supporting cast including Charles Coburn and Marie Windsor. The black-and-white film was released by Warner Bros. ...

'' (1953 film) - Judge (uncredited) * '' The System'' (1953 film) - Frank Tasker * '' Law and Order'' (1953 film) - Judge Williams * ''

Powder River (film) ''Powder River'' is a 1953 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Louis King and starring Rory Calhoun, Corinne Calvet and Cameron Mitchell (actor), Cameron Mitchell.

'' (1953 film) - Ferry Master * The Frightened Bride' Episode of Mr. & Mrs. North'' (1953 television) - Amos Stoker * ''

Riding Shotgun "Riding shotgun" was a phrase used to describe the bodyguard who rides alongside a stagecoach driver, typically armed with a break-action shotgun, called a coach gun, to ward off bandits or hostile Native Americans. In modern use, it refers to ...

'' (1954 film) - Walters * '' Désirée'' (1954 film) - Count Regnaud (uncredited) * ''

Many Rivers to Cross "Many Rivers to Cross" is a song written and recorded in 1969 by Jimmy Cliff. It has since been recorded by many musicians, most successfully by UB40, Cher and Annie Lennox and it was sung in the Caribbean by Alison Hinds and Tessanne Chin. ...

'' (1955 film) - Preacher Ellis (uncredited) * '' East of Eden'' (1955 film) - Dr. Edwards (uncredited) * ''

A Man Called Peter ''A Man Called Peter'' is a 1955 American drama film directed by Henry Koster, and starring Richard Todd. The film is based on the life of preacher Peter Marshall, who served as Chaplain of the United States Senate and pastor of the New York A ...

'' (1955 film) - Col. Evanston Whiting * ''

Violent Saturday ''Violent Saturday'' is a 1955 American CinemaScope crime film directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Victor Mature, Richard Egan and Stephen McNally. Set in a fictional mining town in Arizona, the film depicts the planning of a bank robbe ...

'' (1955 film) - Mr. Braden (uncredited) * '' Hilda Crane'' (1956 film) - Dr. Joe Francis * ''

High Society High society, sometimes simply Society, is the behavior and lifestyle of people with the highest levels of wealth, power, fame and social status. It includes their related affiliations, social events and practices. Upscale social clubs were open ...

'' (1956 film) - Lords' Butler * The Royal Carriage' Episode of My Friend Flicka'' (1956 television) - Thaddeus Grimshaw * ''

The Mountain The Mountain () was a political group during the French Revolution. Its members, called the Montagnards (), sat on the highest benches in the National Convention. The term, first used during a session of the Legislative Assembly, came into ge ...

'' (1956 film) - Coloz * ''

The Three Faces of Eve ''The Three Faces of Eve'' is a 1957 American drama film presented in CinemaScope, based on the book of the same name about the life of Chris Costner Sizemore, which was written by psychiatrists Corbett H. Thigpen and Hervey M. Cleckley, who a ...

'' (1957 film) - Mr. Fox (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

*
Richard Garrick Official Website

Richard Garrick films on Amazon Prime

Richard Garrick on Curlie.org Directory
{{DEFAULTSORT:Garrick, Richard 1878 births 1962 deaths American male stage actors American male film actors Irish emigrants to the United States Burials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Actors from County Waterford People from North Adams, Massachusetts United States Army soldiers American military personnel of the Philippine–American War 20th-century American male actors Film directors from California Film directors from Massachusetts American silent film directors