Henry B. Walthall
Given the relatively short length of films in the early years, Walthall frequently found himself cast in dozens of films each year. For those still unfamiliar with his face however, he gained national attention in 1915 for his role as Colonel Ben Cameron in Griffith's highly influential and controversial epic The Birth of a Nation. Walthall's portrayal of a Confederate veteran rounding up the Ku Klux Klan won him large-scale fame, and Walthall was soon able to emerge as a leading actor in the years leading up to the 1920s, parting ways with Griffith.
He continued through the 1920s, appearing in The Plastic Age with Gilbert Roland and Clara Bow and a 1926 adaptation of The Scarlet Letter opposite Lillian Gish. Now in his 40s, he found his roles increasingly more of the character variety. Having experience as a stage actor, Walthall continued his career into the 1930s until his death.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard.
Walthall was married twice. His first marriage, to actress Isabel Fenton, ended in divorce after ten years in 1917. His second marriage, to actress Mary Charleson lasted from the following year until his death from influenza in 1936.
Henry B. Walthall Facts
Birth Name | Henry Brazeale Walthall |
Occupation | Actor |
Birthday | March 16, 1878 |
Sign | Pisces |
Birthplace | Shelby City, Alabama, USA |
Date of death | June 17, 1936 (Monrovia, California, USA, age 58) |
Height | 5' 7" (1m70) How tall is Henry B. Walthall compared to you? |
Selected Filmography
Not available. |