James Parrott (August 2, 1897 â€" May 10, 1939) was an American actor
and film director; and the younger brother of film comedian Charley
Chase.James Gibbons Parrott was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to
Charles and Blanche Thompson Parrott. In 1903, his father died from a
heart attack, leaving the family in bad financial shape, which forced
them to move in with a relative. Charley Jr. quit school, so he could
go to work, in order to support his mother and brother. Eventually the
call of the stage beckoned him, and Charley Jr. left home at age 16 to
travel the vaudeville circuit as a singer and comedic performer. By
the time James had reached his teens, he too, had quit school, and
became involved with the street gangs of Baltimore.Later, Charley's
connections in the film industry helped get his younger brother
established in movies, and he would appear during the 1920s in a
series of relatively successful comedies for producer Hal Roach. He
was billed first as "Paul Parrott", then "Jimmie Parrott",
Approximately 75 comedies were produced from 1921 to 1923, with titles
continuing to be released through Pathé until 1926. Frequent co-stars
included Marie Mosquini, Jobyna Ralston, Eddie Baker, and Sunshine
Sammy.Parrott is probably best known as a comedy director. As "James
Parrott", he specialized in the two-reel misadventures of Laurel and
Hardy, including the Oscar-winning classic The Music Box, and
Helpmates.
and film director; and the younger brother of film comedian Charley
Chase.James Gibbons Parrott was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to
Charles and Blanche Thompson Parrott. In 1903, his father died from a
heart attack, leaving the family in bad financial shape, which forced
them to move in with a relative. Charley Jr. quit school, so he could
go to work, in order to support his mother and brother. Eventually the
call of the stage beckoned him, and Charley Jr. left home at age 16 to
travel the vaudeville circuit as a singer and comedic performer. By
the time James had reached his teens, he too, had quit school, and
became involved with the street gangs of Baltimore.Later, Charley's
connections in the film industry helped get his younger brother
established in movies, and he would appear during the 1920s in a
series of relatively successful comedies for producer Hal Roach. He
was billed first as "Paul Parrott", then "Jimmie Parrott",
Approximately 75 comedies were produced from 1921 to 1923, with titles
continuing to be released through Pathé until 1926. Frequent co-stars
included Marie Mosquini, Jobyna Ralston, Eddie Baker, and Sunshine
Sammy.Parrott is probably best known as a comedy director. As "James
Parrott", he specialized in the two-reel misadventures of Laurel and
Hardy, including the Oscar-winning classic The Music Box, and
Helpmates.
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