Charles Avery (actor) explained

Charles Avery
Birthname:Charles Avery Bradford
Birth Date:28 May 1873
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation:Actor, film director and screenwriter
Yearsactive:1897–1926
Spouse:

Charles Avery (May 28, 1873 – July 23, 1926) was an American silent-film actor, film director, and screenwriter.

Avery was one of the original seven Keystone Cops.[3]

Early life and education

He was born Charles Avery Bradford in Chicago, Illinois.

His sister Charlotte was also an actress,[4] as was his mother Marie Stanley.[4] His father was a playwright.[4]

Career

He started acting in the theatre, playing the title role in Charley's Aunt,[5] [6] and the part of Pegleg Hopkins in the adaptation of David Harum which had William H. Crane in the lead role.[7] [8]

Avery appeared in a touring production of The Clansman as Governor Shrimp,[4] [9] 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 Cops 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.[10] His cause of death was acute dilation of the heart caused by chronic myocarditis.[11] [12]

Filmography

Director

Stageplays

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chas A Bradford. New York State Census, 1905. FamilySearch. February 16, 2010.
  2. Web site: Charles Avery Bradford. California, County Marriages, 1850–1952. FamilySearch. February 16, 2010.
  3. Lahue, Kalton (1971); Mack Sennett's Keystone: The man, the myth and the comedies; New York: Barnes; . p. 194.
  4. News: Death of Charlotte Deane . . September 8, 1906 . February 17, 2012.
  5. News: Professional Cards: Charles Avery . . August 6, 1898 . 20 . February 17, 2012.
  6. News: Pike Opera House, Cincinnati, Ohio . . May 7, 1897 . 159 . February 17, 2012.
  7. News: William H. Crane Enacts David Harum . . April 9, 1900 . February 17, 2012.
  8. News: Plays and Play People . . May 5, 1901 . February 17, 2012.
  9. News: Reflections . . 10 . April 28, 1906 . February 17, 2012.
  10. News: Body Of Movie Actor Dead 4 Days Found . . July 23, 1923 . February 16, 2012.
  11. Web site: Family Search Death Certificate of Charles Avery Bradford. . registration.
  12. News: San Diego Union Newspaper July 25, 1926, Dead of Natural Causes.

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