Russell McCaskill Simpson (June 17, 1880 â€" December 12, 1959) was an
American character actor.Russell Simpson was born on June 17, 1880
(other sources indicate 1877) in Danville, California. He attended
grammar school in the Danville District in Contra Costa County,
California; he graduated on July 2, 1892. At age 18, Simpson
prospected for gold in Alaska. He began taking acting classes in
Seattle, Washington. He was married to Gertrude Alter from New York
City on January 19, 1910. By 1909, he had gone into the theatre. He
appeared in at least two plays on Broadway between 1909 and 1912, and
made his motion picture debut in Cecil B. DeMille's 1914 original film
version of The Virginian in a bit part. By 1923, when the film was
remade, Simpson had progressed to playing the lead
villain.:487Throughout his career, Simpson worked for 12 years in road
shows, stock companies, and on Broadway. Simpson didn't usually
perform lead roles, but he did star in many movies throughout the
silent movie era. He did perform a lead role as the grandfather in Out
of the Dust (1920).:317
American character actor.Russell Simpson was born on June 17, 1880
(other sources indicate 1877) in Danville, California. He attended
grammar school in the Danville District in Contra Costa County,
California; he graduated on July 2, 1892. At age 18, Simpson
prospected for gold in Alaska. He began taking acting classes in
Seattle, Washington. He was married to Gertrude Alter from New York
City on January 19, 1910. By 1909, he had gone into the theatre. He
appeared in at least two plays on Broadway between 1909 and 1912, and
made his motion picture debut in Cecil B. DeMille's 1914 original film
version of The Virginian in a bit part. By 1923, when the film was
remade, Simpson had progressed to playing the lead
villain.:487Throughout his career, Simpson worked for 12 years in road
shows, stock companies, and on Broadway. Simpson didn't usually
perform lead roles, but he did star in many movies throughout the
silent movie era. He did perform a lead role as the grandfather in Out
of the Dust (1920).:317
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