Fred Church (actor) explained

Fred Church
Birth Date:17 October 1889
Birth Place:Boone, Iowa, United States
Death Place:Blythe, California, United States
Occupation:Actor
Yearsactive:1908 - 1935

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

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.[2]

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.

Church was born in Boone, Iowa (another source says Quebec, Canada),[3] and died in Blythe, California,[4] near his home in Quartzsite, Arizona, from congestive heart failure

Selected filmography

Notes and References

  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. Book: Katchmer . George A. . A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses . 2009 . McFarland . 9781476609058 . 60 . 21 July 2018 . en.
  3. News: Katchmer . George A. . Forgotten Cowboys . June 10, 2021 . The Muscatine Journal . January 31, 1981 . 82. Newspapers.com.
  4. California Death Index, 1940-1997, Riverside County; Date: January 7, 1983; Social Security: 565149978