Years active 1897–1926 Name Charles Avery | Role Artist | |
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Full Name Charles Avery Bradford Born May 28, 1873 ( 1873-05-28 ) Chicago, Illinois, United States Died July 23, 1926(1926-07-23) (aged 53)Los Angeles, California, United States Occupation Actor, film director and screenwriter Spouse(s) Catherine ? (?-19?)Margaret E Royster (1914–?) Books Drawing Room Confessions. Charles Avery | ||
GLASSTRESS 2017 - Charles Avery
Charles Avery (May 28, 1873 – July 23, 1926) was an American silent-film actor, film director, and screenwriter.
Contents
- GLASSTRESS 2017 Charles Avery
- Charles Avery in Conversation
- Early life and education
- Career
- Death
- Stageplays
- References
One of the original seven Keystone Kops, Avery directed Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in thirty-one comedies while at Keystone Studios.
Charles Avery in Conversation
Early life and education
He was born Charles Avery Bradford in Chicago, Illinois.
His sister Charlotte was also an actress, as was his mother Marie Stanley. His father was a playwright.
Career
He started acting in the theatre, playing the title role in Charley's Aunt, and the part of Pegleg Hopkins in the adaptation of David Harum which had William H. Crane in the lead role.
Avery appeared in a touring production of The Clansman as Governor Shrimp, before entering films with the Biograph Company in 1908.
From 1908 to 1909, Avery featured in 33 short films under the direction of D. W. Griffith, usually only in supporting roles and often alongside Mack Sennett.
In 1913, he tried his hand at directing, starting with Across the Alley at Keystone Studios. Avery went on to direct Syd Chaplin in the Gussle series and Charles Murray in the Hogan series. He also continued to act, notably in the first three Keystone Kops films.
Leaving directorial duties in the 1920s, Avery later played supporting roles in low-budget Westerns such as The Rambling Ranger and Western Rover.
Death
On July 23, 1926, Avery was found dead in his Los Angeles home. His death was later ruled a suicide.