Rapley Holmes Explained

Rapley Holmes
Birth Date:June 1, 1867
Birth Place:St. Marys, Ontario, Canada
Death Date:January 11, 1928 (aged 60)
Death Place:Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
Restingplace:Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
Restingplacecoordinates:43°N -111°W
Occupation:Actor
Spouse:Gerda Holmes

Rapley Holmes (June 1, 1868 – January 11, 1928)[1] was a stage and screen actor. He was born in Canada and married actress Gerda Holmes.[2]

Holmes played the part of Joe Horn in the long running Somerset Maugham play Rain (1922) starring Jeanne Eagels.[3] On stage he appeared with many greats of the Edwardian era including Maxine Elliott, Elsie Ferguson, Nance O'Neil, Doug Fairbanks and both William and Dustin Farnum.

Holmes began appearing in silent films in 1914 while still maintaining an active role in Broadway plays. His last film role was in 1920, two years before the huge hit of Rain. Acting in Rain dominated the rest of Holmes's career up until his death in January 1928. His role in Rain was played by James A. Marcus in the 1928 Gloria Swanson hit re-titled Sadie Thompson and by Guy Kibbee in the 1932 talkie Rain with Joan Crawford.[4]

Selected filmography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Silent Film Necrology, p.248 2ndEdition c.2001 by Eugene Michael Vazzana
  2. Web site: Rapley Holmes Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos.
  3. Pictorial History of the American Theatre: 1860-1985 p.194 c.1985 by Daniel Blum
  4. Who Was Who On Screen, p.219 2nd Edition c.1977 by Evelyn Mack Truitt