Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William King Baggot (November 7, 1879 – July 11, 1948) was an American actor, film director and screenwriter. He was an internationally famous movie star of the silent film era. The first individually publicized leading man in America, Baggot was referred to as "King of the Movies", "The Most Photographed Man in the World", and "The Man Whose Face Is As Familiar As The Man In The Moon". Baggot appeared in over 300 motion pictures from 1909 to 1947, wrote 18 screenplays, and directed 45 movies from 1912 to 1928, including The Lie (1912), Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman (1925), and The House of Scandal (1928). He also directed William S. Hart in his most famous western, Tumbleweeds (1925). Among his film appearances, Baggot was best known for The Scarlet Letter (1911), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913), and Ivanhoe (1913). Baggot began his career on the stage, in a Shakespearean stock company, and toured throughout the U.S. While acting in stock in St. Louis in 1909, he was cast as supporting player in the Schubert touring production of The Wishing Ring. When The Wishing Ring closed in Chicago, Baggot returned to New York to join another company. Upon a chance meeting with Harry Solter, who was directing movies for Carl Laemmle at Independent Moving Pictures Company (IMP), he was persuaded to go with Solter to the studio. Baggot became interested in the fledgling industry and decided to turn picture player. His first film was the romance short The Awakening of Bess (1909) opposite Florence Lawrence. It was directed by Harry Solter, her husband, at IMP in Fort Lee, New Jersey. At a time when screen actors worked anonymously, Baggot and Lawrence became the first "movie stars" to be given billing, a marquee, and promotion in advertising. Baggot starred in at least 42 movies opposite Lawrence from 1909 to 1911. In the latter year, he starred in at least 16 movies with Mary Pickford. He also began writing screenplays and directing, all the while becoming a major star internationally. When he appeared "in person" at theatres he was mobbed at stage doors. By 1912, he was so famous that when he took the leading part in forming the prestigious Screen Club in New York, the first organization of its kind strictly for movie people, he was the natural choice for its first president. King Baggot died in Los Angeles, California in 1948, age 68. For his contributions to the film industry, Baggot received a motion pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. His star is located at 6312 Hollywood Boulevard.
Acted in 94
1940s
- 1947
Merton of the Movies
Man in Audience (uncredited)
My Brother Talks to Horses
Bank Employee (uncredited)
- 1946
The Secret Heart
Man at Graduation Ceremony
Holiday in Mexico
Movie
- 1945
Dangerous Partners
Lunch Room Customer (uncredited)
- 1943
- 1942
Her Cardboard Lover
Police Officer in Courtroom (uncredited)
Jackass Mail
Old Miner
Fingers at the Window
Psychiatrist at Lecture (uncredited)
Rio Rita
Hotel Guest (uncredited)
- 1941
Come Live with Me
Doorman
- 1940
Gallant Sons
Man on Street / Man in Audience (uncredited)
Bitter Sweet
Cafe Patron (uncredited)
The Ghost Comes Home
Townsman at Banquet (uncredited)
I Take This Woman
Man in Subway (uncredited)
1930s
- 1939
Dancing Co-Ed
Man in Casting Office (uncredited)
Stronger Than Desire
Juror (uncredited)
The Ice Follies of 1939
Man in Audience (uncredited)
- 1938
Opening Day
Baseball Fan
Stablemates
Bettor
Think It Over
Movie
Snow Gets in Your Eyes
Department Store Customer (uncredited)
Arsène Lupin Returns
Detective (uncredited)
- 1937
A Night at the Movies
Movie Patron (uncredited)
The Emperor's Candlesticks
Customs Official (uncredited)
It May Happen to You
Man in Hospital (uncredited)
Parnell
Man in Office
Torture Money
False Accident Witness (uncredited)
- 1936
Mad Holiday
Film Director (uncredited)
Sworn Enemy
Accident Witness (uncredited)
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
Chemistry Professor
- 1935
3 Kids and a Queen
Druggist
Chinatown Squad
Patrol Wagon Guard
The Call of the Savage
Dr. Pierce
Mississippi
Gambler (uncredited)
A Notorious Gentleman
Police Sergeant
- 1934
Father Brown, Detective
Priest (uncredited)
Cheating Cheaters
Official (uncredited)
Romance in the Rain
Milton McGillicuddy
The Red Rider
Townsman
Beloved
Second Doctor
- 1933
I Loved a Woman
Banker (uncredited)
- 1932
Afraid to Talk
Police Officer (uncredited)
The Big Flash
Hinkle
What Price Hollywood?
Department Head (uncredited)
Police Court
Harry Field
Girl of the Rio
Maitre d'hotel, Purple Pigeon Cafe
- 1931
Graft
Ship's Captain
Sweepstakes
Mike - Weber's Trainer
The Bad Sister
Policeman on Street (uncredited)
- 1930
Once a Gentleman
Van Warner
The Czar of Broadway
Movie
1920s
- 1921
The Butterfly Girl
H.H. Van Horn
The Girl in the Taxi
Maj. Frederick Smith
- 1920
The Forbidden Thing
Dave
The Dwelling Place of Light
Brooks Insall
Life's Twist
Jim Sargent
The Cheater
Lord Asgarby
The Shadow of Lightning Ridge
Movie
1910s
- 1919
The Hawk's Trail
Sheldon Steele/The Hawk
The Man Who Stayed at Home
Christopher Brent
- 1918
Kildare of Storm
Basil Kildare
The Eagle's Eye
Harrison Grant
- 1916
The Man from Nowhere
James Herron
Half a Rogue
Richard Warrington
- 1915
The Suburban
Donald Gordon
- 1914
Absinthe
Jean Dumas
- 1913
Ivanhoe
Wilfred of Ivanhoe
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
- 1912
Up Against It
Amos Bentley
A Cave Man Wooing
George - the 'Sissy' Hero
- 1911
The Better Way
Louis Perry - a Reformed Crook
The Rose's Story
Gerald Kinney
For the Queen's Honor
The King
In the Sultan's Garden
Lt. Robbins
The Temptress
Gilbert Irving
The Scarlet Letter
Reverend Dimmesdale
Sweet Memories
Edward Jackson
The Mirror
Movie
1900s
- 1909
Love's Stratagem
The Boy
Directed 24
1920s
- 1928
Romance of a Rogue
Director
- 1927
The Notorious Lady
Director
Perch of the Devil
Director
- 1926
- 1925
The Home Maker
Director
Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman
Director
The Tornado
Director
- 1924
The Gaiety Girl
Director
The Whispered Name
Director
- 1923
The Darling of New York
Director
Crossed Wires
Director
The Town Scandal
Director
Gossip
Director
The Love Letter
Director
- 1922
A Dangerous Game
Director
The Kentucky Derby
Director
The Lavender Bath Lady
Director
Human Hearts
Director
Kissed
Director
- 1921
Nobody's Fool
Director
Moonlight Follies
Director
Luring Lips
Director
Cheated Love
Director
Wrote 3
1920s
- 1923
The Darling of New York
Story
Crossed Wires
Story
1910s
- 1911
The Rose's Story
Scenario Writer
Appearances2
2010s
- 2011
Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films
Himself (archive footage)
1920s
- 1923
The Thrill Chaser
Himself - Cameo