Richard Semler Barthelmess (May 9, 1895 â€" August 17, 1963) was an
American film actor, principally of the Hollywood silent era. He
starred opposite Lillian Gish in D. W. Griffith's Broken Blossoms
(1919) and Way Down East (1920) and was among the founders of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927. The following
year, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for two
films: The Patent Leather Kid and The Noose.Barthelmess was born in
New York City, the son of Caroline W. Harris, a stage actress, and
Alfred W. Barthelmess. His father died when he was a year old. Through
his mother, he grew up in the theatre, doing "walk-ons" from an early
age. In contrast to that, he was educated at Hudson River Military
Academy at Nyack, New York and Trinity College at Hartford,
Connecticut. He did some acting in college and other amateur
productions. By 1919 he had five years in stock company
experience.Russian actress Alla Nazimova, a friend of the family, was
taught English by Caroline Barthelmess. Nazimova convinced Richard
Barthelmess to try acting professionally, and he made his debut screen
appearance in 1916 in the serial Gloria's Romance as an uncredited
extra. He also appeared as a supporting player in several films
starring Marguerite Clark.
American film actor, principally of the Hollywood silent era. He
starred opposite Lillian Gish in D. W. Griffith's Broken Blossoms
(1919) and Way Down East (1920) and was among the founders of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927. The following
year, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for two
films: The Patent Leather Kid and The Noose.Barthelmess was born in
New York City, the son of Caroline W. Harris, a stage actress, and
Alfred W. Barthelmess. His father died when he was a year old. Through
his mother, he grew up in the theatre, doing "walk-ons" from an early
age. In contrast to that, he was educated at Hudson River Military
Academy at Nyack, New York and Trinity College at Hartford,
Connecticut. He did some acting in college and other amateur
productions. By 1919 he had five years in stock company
experience.Russian actress Alla Nazimova, a friend of the family, was
taught English by Caroline Barthelmess. Nazimova convinced Richard
Barthelmess to try acting professionally, and he made his debut screen
appearance in 1916 in the serial Gloria's Romance as an uncredited
extra. He also appeared as a supporting player in several films
starring Marguerite Clark.
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