Fred Rosewell Church (October 17, 1889[1] – January 7, 1983)[2] was an American actor of the silent era.

Fred Church
Church in 1914
Born(1889-10-17)October 17, 1889
Boone, Iowa, United States
DiedJanuary 7, 1983(1983-01-07) (aged 93)
Blythe, California, United States
OccupationActor
Years active1908–1935

After entering vaudeville when he was a boy, Church became part of a double act that spent two years on the circuit. After touring the U.S. in vaudeville, he acted in repertory theater in the central western U.S., including the Selig Company in Chicago.[3]

In 1908, Church joined Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson in Western films for the latter's Essanay Studios. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1908 and 1935. From 1928 to 1930, he made six films billed as Montana Bill.[4]

Church was born in Boone, Iowa (another source says Quebec, Canada),[4] and died in Blythe, California,[2] near his home in Quartzsite, Arizona, from congestive heart failure

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Washington D.C.; Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 – March 31, 1925; ARC Identifier 583830 / MLR Number A1 534; NARA Series: M1490; Roll #1085
  2. ^ a b California Death Index, 1940-1997, Riverside County; Date: January 7, 1983; Social Security: 565149978
  3. ^ Katchmer, George A. (2009). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 60. ISBN 9781476609058. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Katchmer, George A. (January 31, 1981). "Forgotten Cowboys". The Muscatine Journal. p. 82. Retrieved June 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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