Kamuela C. Searle (August 29, 1890 â€" February 14, 1924) was a
Hawaiian actor, sculptor, and painter, best remembered for his
portrayal of Korak, the son of Tarzan and Jane.Born as Samuel Cooper
Searle in Wai’ohinu, Ka’u, Hawai’i, Searle met legendary film
director Cecil B. DeMille on the beach at Waikiki in 1915. DeMille
encouraged Searle to go to Hollywood and pursue a film career. Legend
has it that Searle appeared in a couple of DeMille's films during this
time, but no definite proof exists. He enlisted in the United States
Army during World War I, and fought and was wounded in France. Upon
his discharge, Searle adopted Kamuela (the Hawaiian spelling of
Samuel) as his first name, and appeared, uncredited, in DeMille's 1919
film Male and Female. His first credited role was in The Island of
Desire, as Sam Searles, released in 1917.Cowboy actor Jack Hoxie was
originally slated to play the adult Jack Clayton (known by the Ape
name Korak) in the 1920 film serial The Son of Tarzan, but was dropped
from the production before filming began. Searle was cast, and
enthusiastically spent a month in the desert to "harden" himself for
the role. Searle also played a supporting role in that same year in
The Sea Wolf, based on the Jack London novel and starring Noah Beery
in the titular role.Many sources, including Gabe Essoe's Tarzan of the
Movies, have incorrectly stated that Searle was mortally wounded when
an elephant carrying him bound to a stake slammed him to the ground.
Though he was hurt enough that a double completed a few final long
shots, Searle recovered from his injuries and completed one more film,
Cecil B. DeMille's Fool's Paradise (1921), before he retired from
acting to concentrate on sculpting and painting.
Hawaiian actor, sculptor, and painter, best remembered for his
portrayal of Korak, the son of Tarzan and Jane.Born as Samuel Cooper
Searle in Wai’ohinu, Ka’u, Hawai’i, Searle met legendary film
director Cecil B. DeMille on the beach at Waikiki in 1915. DeMille
encouraged Searle to go to Hollywood and pursue a film career. Legend
has it that Searle appeared in a couple of DeMille's films during this
time, but no definite proof exists. He enlisted in the United States
Army during World War I, and fought and was wounded in France. Upon
his discharge, Searle adopted Kamuela (the Hawaiian spelling of
Samuel) as his first name, and appeared, uncredited, in DeMille's 1919
film Male and Female. His first credited role was in The Island of
Desire, as Sam Searles, released in 1917.Cowboy actor Jack Hoxie was
originally slated to play the adult Jack Clayton (known by the Ape
name Korak) in the 1920 film serial The Son of Tarzan, but was dropped
from the production before filming began. Searle was cast, and
enthusiastically spent a month in the desert to "harden" himself for
the role. Searle also played a supporting role in that same year in
The Sea Wolf, based on the Jack London novel and starring Noah Beery
in the titular role.Many sources, including Gabe Essoe's Tarzan of the
Movies, have incorrectly stated that Searle was mortally wounded when
an elephant carrying him bound to a stake slammed him to the ground.
Though he was hurt enough that a double completed a few final long
shots, Searle recovered from his injuries and completed one more film,
Cecil B. DeMille's Fool's Paradise (1921), before he retired from
acting to concentrate on sculpting and painting.
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