Frederick Burton (actor)

Frederick Burton (October 20, 1871 – October 23, 1957) was an American actor. He appeared in 122 films between 1914 and 1947. Burton was born in Gosport, Indiana and died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.

Frederick Burton
Burton in Heliotrope, 1920
Born(1871-10-20)October 20, 1871
DiedOctober 23, 1957(1957-10-23) (aged 86)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupationfilm actor
Years active1914–1947
SpouseJessie Lawrie

Life and career

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The following comes from a 1907 issue of Life Magazine:

FREDERICK BURTON, the actor, hails from Gosport, Ind. He got his start on the stage after making a hit in a Knights of Pythias benefit in Gosport. After three years' absence from home, his company played in Terre Haute and Burton invited his father to come over and see him act. The old man took in the show, and after the last curtain went back on the stage to see his son. Presently the treasurer appeared at the dressing room door and handed Burton his weekly pay envelope. Burton senior saw the figures on the outside and his eyes sparkled.

"You don't mean to tell me you get that much every week, do you?" exclaimed the old gentleman. "That's right," Burton replied, modestly.

"Well, what other chores do you have to do besides actin'?" the old man asked. — Harper's Weekly.[1]

Burton was known on the stage for his portrayal of rural Americans and would return to his family farm in Gosport every summer to reacquaint himself with the land.[2]

In 1913, Burton, along with Sydney Shields, starred in Reckless Age, a play produced by Cecil B. De Mille shortly before he switched to film.[3][4] He appeared in over 120 films between 1914 and 1944, mostly playing supporting and bit parts.[citation needed]

Partial filmography

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Sources

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  1. ^ Frederick Burton interview, Life Magazine, Volume 49; January–June 1907.
  2. ^ Profile, The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Michigan), June 19, 1905, p. 7
  3. ^ "News of Other Cities", New York Dramatic Mirror, May 14, 1913.
  4. ^ Cecil B. DeMille's Hollywood by Robert S. Birchard (2004), p. 2
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