Don Marion Davis (born October 9, 1917), professionally known as John
Henry Jr. and Don Marion, is an American former child actor of the
silent film era, who during a brief career in show business appeared
in several feature roles and comedy shorts in Hollywood screened
between 1919 and 1925. He also had uncredited parts in radio. He is
one of the last surviving actors who worked in the silent film era.He
was born in Hollywood, California, on October 9, 1917, to Henry G.
Davis and Helen Davis. He was discovered by studio entrepreneur and
director Mack Sennett while he and his mother were visiting his uncle,
British-born American actor and comedian Billy Armstrong around 1919.
He was visiting the set of a film when the baby who was originally
cast was not performing well. Davis then replaced him successfully.In
a 1920 newspaper article, he was described as one of the most famous
child actors in the world. His feature-length films included Down on
the Farm (1920) and A Small Town Idol (1921). He was often cast
alongside the dog Teddy, who was one of the most well-known film
animals of the era. By 1921, his films reportedly had to adjust to the
fact that he was continuously growing.After leaving the entertainment
industry in 1925, he attended the University of Oregon and joined the
U.S. Army in 1940, shortly prior to the United States entering World
War II. He was stationed in Europe during this time as an infantry
officer. After the war, he remained with the American military and
held various positions in different countries, such as South Africa
and South Korea. He graduated from University of Arizona with a degree
in Master of Public Administration.
Henry Jr. and Don Marion, is an American former child actor of the
silent film era, who during a brief career in show business appeared
in several feature roles and comedy shorts in Hollywood screened
between 1919 and 1925. He also had uncredited parts in radio. He is
one of the last surviving actors who worked in the silent film era.He
was born in Hollywood, California, on October 9, 1917, to Henry G.
Davis and Helen Davis. He was discovered by studio entrepreneur and
director Mack Sennett while he and his mother were visiting his uncle,
British-born American actor and comedian Billy Armstrong around 1919.
He was visiting the set of a film when the baby who was originally
cast was not performing well. Davis then replaced him successfully.In
a 1920 newspaper article, he was described as one of the most famous
child actors in the world. His feature-length films included Down on
the Farm (1920) and A Small Town Idol (1921). He was often cast
alongside the dog Teddy, who was one of the most well-known film
animals of the era. By 1921, his films reportedly had to adjust to the
fact that he was continuously growing.After leaving the entertainment
industry in 1925, he attended the University of Oregon and joined the
U.S. Army in 1940, shortly prior to the United States entering World
War II. He was stationed in Europe during this time as an infantry
officer. After the war, he remained with the American military and
held various positions in different countries, such as South Africa
and South Korea. He graduated from University of Arizona with a degree
in Master of Public Administration.
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