Movies
TV Shows
People

Wilfred Lucas

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
278

Gender
Male

Birthday
January 29, 1871 (155 years old)

Place of Birth
Norfolk, Ontario, Canada

Wilfred Lucas

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wilfred Lucas (January 30, 1871 – December 13, 1940) was a Canadian-born American stage actor who found success in film as an actor, director, and screenwriter.

Wilfred Lucas made his Broadway debut in 1904, playing in both the The Blue Grass Handicap and The Superstition of Sue. Following his 1906 role in the highly successful play The Chorus Lady, he was recruited to the fledgling Biograph Studios by D. W. Griffith.

At the time, the film business was still looked down upon by many members of the theatrical community. In her 1925 book titled When the Movies Were Young, Griffith's wife, actress Linda Arvidson, told the story of the early days at Biograph Studios. In it, she referred to Lucas as the "first real grand actor, democratic enough to work in Biograph movies." In 1908 Lucas made his motion picture debut in Griffith's The Greaser's Gauntlet, appearing in more than 50 of these short (usually 17 minutes) films over the next two years.

In 1910 while still acting, he wrote the script for Griffith's film Sunshine Sue, which was followed by many more scripts by 1924. Lucas also began directing in 1912 with Griffith on An Outcast Among Outcasts, and directed another 44 films over the next 20 years.

In early 1916 he starred as John Carter in Acquitted, about which Photoplay wrote, "No single performance in the records of active photography has surpassed his visualization of the humble book-keeper in Acquitted." Later in 1916 he appeared in D.W. Griffith's film Intolerance.

Part of the group of Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood, Lucas became friends and sometimes starred with Mary Pickford, Sam De Grasse, and Marie Dressler. Canadian-born director Mack Sennett hired him to both direct and act in a large number of films at his Keystone Studios.

Lucas made the successful transition from silent film to sound. While working in Hollywood, in 1926 he returned to the stage, performing in several Broadway plays. He later appeared as a foil for Laurel and Hardy in their feature films Pardon Us and A Chump at Oxford.

During his long career, Wilfred Lucas appeared in more than 375 films. Although for a time he was cast in leading roles, he became very successful as secondary and minor characters, making a good living in the film industry for more than three decades.

Known For

Acting

1968The Best of Laurel and Hardyas The Warden (archive footage) (uncredited)
1941The Sea Wolfas
1940Santa Fe Trailas Weiner (uncredited)
1940A Dispatch from Reutersas Board Member (uncredited)
1940Triple Justiceas Constable Herb at Tule Mesa
1940They Drive by Nightas Bailiff (uncredited)
1940Women in Hidingas Policeman (uncredited)
1940Brother Orchidas Brother MacDonald
1940Waterloo Bridgeas Elderly Huntsman at Estate Dance (uncredited)
1940Edison, the Manas Broker
1940Tear Gas Squadas Policeman
1940Virginia Cityas Southerner (uncredited)
1940Women Without Namesas Roomer
1940The Fighting 69thas Eye Doctor (uncredited)
1940A Chump at Oxfordas Dean Williams
1940Legion of the Lawlessas East Ivestown Leader (uncredited)
1939Four Wivesas Stationmaster (uncredited)
1939Nick Carter, Master Detectiveas Police Detective Randall
1939Rafflesas Bobby
1939The Marshal Of Mesa Cityas Marshal Andy Thompson (uncredited)
1939Mr. Smith Goes to Washingtonas Pompous Man (uncredited)
1939The Day the Bookies Weptas Bill, Man Outside Racetrack (uncredited)
1939Each Dawn I Dieas Bailiff (uncredited)
1939Zenobiaas Undetermined Role
1939Women in the Windas Burbank Offical (uncredited)
1939Dodge Cityas Bartender (uncredited)
1939Almost a Gentlemanas Dog Show Director
1938Breakdowns of 1938as Race Judge (archive footage) (uncredited)
1938The Declaration of Independenceas John Dickinson (uncredited)
1938Brother Ratas Ballfield Doctor
1938A Man to Rememberas Man at Hospital Dedication (uncredited)
1938Down on the Farmas Wheeler
1938Freshman Yearas Professor Ullrich
1938Four Daughtersas Doctor (uncredited)
1938Safety in Numbersas Councilman
1938Over the Wallas Cell Block Keeper
1938Night Spotas Police Lieutenant
1938The Baroness and the Butleras Member of Parliament
1938The Daredevil Driversas Race Judge
1937She Loved a Firemanas Fire Tug Captain
1937Missing Witnessesas Judge in Wagner Case (uncredited)
1937The Man Without a Countryas Lincoln's Secretary (uncredited)
1937Navy Blue and Goldas Ship's Captain (uncredited)
1937The Westland Caseas Gun Dealer
1937Idol of the Crowdsas Doctor (uncredited)
1937Hot Wateras Customer in Drugstore (uncredited)
1937Prairie Thunderas Nate Temple
1937Varsity Showas Police Commissioner
1937Varsity Showas Police Commissioner (uncredited)
1937Talent Scoutas Director of Screen Test (uncredited)
1937Empty Holstersas John Ware
1937Blazing Sixesas Sheriff Tom
1937Marked Womanas Jury Foreman #1 (uncredited)
1937Mile a Minute Loveas Drexel
1937Land Beyond the Lawas Jim Blake (uncredited)
1937The Super Snooperas
1937Black Legionas Bailiff (uncredited)
1937Criminal Lawyeras Brandon's Assistant
1937We Who Are About to Dieas Prison Yard Captain (uncredited)
1936Beloved Enemyas Doctor (Uncredited)
1936Give Me Libertyas His Excellency Permitting Henry's Arrest (uncredited)
1936Midnight Blundersas Professor Edwin Millstone (uncredited)
1936California Mailas Sheriff
1936High Tensionas Businessman
1936The Devil-Dollas Off-Screen Voice (voice / uncredited)
1936The White Angelas Raglan Staff Officer (uncredited)
1936Human Cargoas Police Chief
1936The Country Doctoras Proprietor (uncredited)
1936Love on a Betas Man at Hutchinson's Meeting
1936The Preview Murder Mysteryas Director (Uncredited)
1936The Prisoner of Shark Islandas Testifying Colonel (uncredited)
1936Modern Timesas Juvenile Officer
1936Chatterboxas Himself (uncredited)
1935Kind Ladyas First Scotland Yard Man (uncredited)
1935Show Them No Mercy!as Druggist (uncredited)
1935Frisco Kidas First Policeman (uncredited)
1935Rip Roaring Rileyas Chief Martin
1935Stormyas Mack's Horse Trainer (uncredited)
1935Strandedas Pat, a Welfare Worker (uncredited)
1935The Arizonianas Townsman with Mayor
1935Vagabond Ladyas Dock Official (uncredited)
1935Les Misérablesas Onlooker
1935Naughty Mariettaas Announcer (uncredited)
1935Angkoras Wilfred Lucas, game hunter
1935Chandu on the Magic Islandas Capt. Walker
1934Shrimps for a Dayas Mr. Wade
1934Love Timeas Dignitary (uncredited)
1934Cleopatraas Roman Greeting Antony (uncredited)
1934The Return of Chanduas Capt. Wilson [Chs. 4-12]
1934The Dragon Murder Caseas Police Sergeant (uncredited)
1934One Night of Loveas Metropolitan Operagoer
1934Upperworldas Boat Captain (uncredited)
1934Apples to You!as Chairman of the Board
1934The Mothas John Gale
1933The House on 56th Streetas Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)
1933Air Frightas Mr. Lucas, Airline Superintendent
1933Advice to the Lovelornas
1933Mary Stevens, M.D.as Andrews' Lawyer Barry (uncredited)
1933Midnight Maryas Nightclub Bouncer (uncredited)
1933The Mayor of Hellas Bill (uncredited)
1933Strange Peopleas John Davis
1933The Sphinxas Prosecuting Attorney
1933I Cover the Waterfrontas Randall
1933The Devil's Brotheras
1933The Big Cageas Bob Mills
1933The Three Musketeersas El Shaitan
1933The Intruderas Mr. Wayne
1933Phantom Thunderboltas Eaton - Railroad President
1933Racetrackas Mr. Ryan
1932Sister to Judasas Mike O'Flanagan
1932Lawyer Manas Second Jury Foreman (uncredited)
1932The Secrets of Wu Sinas Pharmacist
1932You Said a Mouthfulas Official (uncredited)
1932Lucky Larriganas John Larrigan
1932The Unwritten Lawas Captain Kane
1932Call Her Savageas Child Welfare Official (Uncredited)
1932The Devil Horseas Whitney [Ch. 1] (uncredited)
1932Free Wheelingas The Specialist
1932Big City Bluesas Policeman (uncredited)
1932Devil and the Deepas Court Martial Judge (uncredited)
1932What Price Hollywood?as Bill the Replacement Director (uncredited)
1932The Dark Horseas Debate Chairman
1932Stockholm ”Queen of the Baltic”as
1932The Midnight Patrolas
1932Careless Ladyas Ship's Purser
1932Red Nosesas Mr. Lucas
1932Cross-Examinationas Judge Hollister
1932The Tabasco Kidas Sheriff's Deputy
1931House of Mysteryas Sheriff Franklin
1931Rich Man's Follyas
1931The Phantomas Dist. Atty. John Hampton
1931Convictedas Capt. Hammond
1931The Age for Loveas Undetermined Role
1931Graftas Candidate Louis
1931The Galloping Ghostas Sportscaster
1931Big Earsas Doctor
1931Pardon Usas Warden
1931Stranger in Townas J.P. Walker
1931Homicide Squadas
1931Young Donovan's Kidas Duryea
1931Dishonoredas
1931Men Call It Loveas Sam Ellery (uncredited)
1931Millieas Millie's Elderly Escort (uncredited)
1930Just Imagineas X-10
1930Looser Than Looseas Mr. Gillstrom, Charley's Boss
1930Love Your Neighboras
1930Madam Satanas Roman Senator
1930Those Who Danceas Big Ben Benson
1930Cock o' the Walkas Señor Vallejo
1930The Arizona Kidas Manager
1930Hello Sisteras Dr. Saltus
1927Burnt Fingersas Lord Cumberly
1926The Sorrows of Satanas Minister (uncredited)
1926Her Sacrificeas Edwin Ramsey
1925Cyclone Cavalieras Hugh Clayton
1925The Wife Who Wasn't Wantedas Judge Bledsoe
1925How Baxter Butted Inas R.S. Falk
1925The Bad Landsas Col. Owen
1925Youth's Gambleas Harry Blaine
1925The Snob Busteras John Pendergast
1925A Broadway Butterflyas Stage Manager
1925Riders of the Purple Sageas Oldring
1925As No Man Has Lovedas Maj. Bissell
1924Lightning Romanceas Richard Wade
1924The Price She Paidas James Presbury
1924The Fatal Mistakeas
1924Racing for Lifeas Hudford
1924Passion's Pathwayas Richard Stanton
1924The Fighting Sapas Charles Richmond
1924Valley of Hateas Old Jim Darley
1924The Valley of Hateas Old Jim Darley
1924Daughters of Pleasureas Mark Hadley
1924Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hallas Earl of Rutland
1924North of Nevadaas C. Hanaford
1924The Mask of Lopezas Richard O'Neil
1923Trilbyas The Laird
1923The Greatest Menaceas Charles W. Wright
1923The Girl of the Golden Westas Ashby
1923Can a Woman Love Twice?as Franklyn Chase
1923Jazzmaniaas Julius Furman
1922Heroes of the Streetas
1922The Kentucky Derbyas Capt. Wolff
1922Paid Backas Ship Captain
1922Flesh and Bloodas The Policeman
1922Across the Dead-Lineas Aaron Kidder
1921The Beautiful Liaras Gaston Allegretti
1921The Fighting Breedas John MacDonald
1921One a Minuteas Prosecutor (uncredited)
1921Through the Back Dooras Elton Reeves
1921The Breaking Pointas Mortimer Davidson
1920The Jackeroo of Coolabongas John MacDonald
1920The Shadow of Lightning Ridgeas Edward Mariott
1920The Man from Kangarooas Red Jack Braggan
1919Soldiers of Fortuneas President Alvarez
1919A Woman of Pleasureas Sir John Thornbull
1919The Girl from Nowhereas Diamond Terry
1919The Westernersas Jim Buckley
1919The Hushed Houras Robert Appleton Jr.
1919What Every Woman Wantsas Horace Lennon
1917The Judgment Houseas Rudyard Byng
1917The Co-respondentas Richard Manning
1917Sins of Ambitionas Andrew Maxwell
1917The Food Gamblersas Henry Havens
1917Souls Triumphantas Robert Powers
1917Hands Up!as John Houston
1917A Love Sublimeas Philip
1917Jim Bludsoas Jim Bludso
1916The Microscope Mysteryas Doc Arnold
1916Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Agesas Extra (uncredited)
1916Hell-to-Pay Austinas Hell-to-Pay Austin
1916A Wild Girl of the Sierrasas Jim Hamilton
1916Macbethas Macduff
1916Acquittedas John Carter
1916The Wood Nymphas Fred Arnold
1915The Lily and the Roseas Jack Van Norman
1915The Spanish Jadeas Osmund Manvers
1914Brute Forceas Brute Force
1914Gentleman Burglaras Baffles
1913A Tender-Hearted Crookas
1913Pure Gold and Drossas
1913The Widow and the Widoweras The Widower
1912The Massacreas Stephen
1912A Sailor’s Heartas The Sailor
1912A Pueblo Legendas The Indian Girl's Great Brother
1912Man's Genesisas Bruteforce
1912A Temporary Truceas An Indian (uncredited)
1912Home Folksas The Blacksmith
1912When Kings Were the Lawas The King of Romanda
1912Just Like a Womanas The Wealthy Friend
1912Fate's Interceptionas The American
1912The Girl and Her Trustas
1912The Goddess of Sagebrush Gulchas Minor Role (uncredited)
1912Under Burning Skiesas Joe
1912Billy's Stratagemas Billy's Father
1912The Transformation of Mikeas Mike
1911A Terrible Discoveryas The District Attorney
1911The Failureas The Clerk
1911A Woman Scornedas The Doctor
1911The Miser's Heartas First Crook
1911Love in the Hillsas The Manley Suitor
1911The Long Roadas A Policeman
1911The Making of a Manas In Second Audience
1911Swords and Heartsas Hugh Frazier
1911The Rose of Kentuckyas The planter
1911The Blind Princess and the Poetas Princess's Father
1911The Sorrowful Exampleas The Husband
1911The Indian Brothersas The Indian Chief's Brother
1911The Thief and the Girlas The Thief
1911Fighting Bloodas
1911The Primal Callas The Fisherman
1911Enoch Arden: Part IIas Enoch Arden
1911Enoch Ardenas Enoch Arden
1911Enoch Arden: Part Ias
1911The New Dressas Jose
1911Madame Rexas
1911The Broken Crossas
1911The Spanish Gypsyas Jose
1911The Lonedale Operatoras The Fireman
1911His Daughteras
1911The Diamond Staras John Wilson
1911Fisher Folksas Steve Hardester
1911What Shall We Do with Our Old?as Violent Jailbird
1911Heart Beats of Long Agoas The Lover
1911His Trust Fulfilledas George
1911His Trustas George
1911When a Man Lovesas
1911The Two Pathsas Nellie's Husband
1910Winning Back His Loveas Frederick Wallace
1910The Rocky Roadas
19091776, or The Hessian Renegadesas
1909A Strange Meetingas
1909The Renunciationas
1909The Girls and Daddyas
1909The Honor of Thievesas
1908The Taming of the Shrewas
1908The Girl and the Outlawas
1908The Greaser's Gauntletas Jose
The Nestas Howard Hardy

Production

1932The Unwritten Law...Director
1932Igloo...Writer
1926Her Sacrifice...Director
1924Women First...Story
1924The Beautiful Sinner...Story
1924The Fatal Mistake...Story
1924Racing for Life...Screenplay
1924Racing for Life...Story
1921The Fighting Breed...Writer
1921The Fighting Breed...Director
1920The Jackeroo of Coolabong...Director
1920The Shadow of Lightning Ridge...Director
1920The Shadow of Lightning Ridge...Story
1920The Man from Kangaroo...Director
1919The Girl from Nowhere...Director
1919The Girl from Nowhere...Story
1918The Testing of Mildred Vane...Director
1918A Pair of Pink Pajamas...Director
1918The Romance of Tarzan...Director
1918The Romance of Tarzan...Scenario Writer
1918The Return of Mary...Director
1918The Red, Red Heart...Director
1918Morgan's Raiders...Director
1918Morgan's Raiders...Writer
1917Hands Up!...Director
1917Hands Up!...Writer
1917A Love Sublime...Director
1917A Love Sublime...Writer
1917Jim Bludso...Director
1915The Spanish Jade...Director
1914The Trey o' Hearts...Director
1914The Severed Hand...Director
1914A Misplaced Foot...Director
1914A Glimpse of Los Angeles...Director
1913The Milk We Drink...Director
1913The Speed Kings...Director
1913A Quiet Little Wedding...Director
1913Fatty's Day Off...Director
1913Baby Day...Director
1913Pirate Gold...Director
1912A Sailor’s Heart...Director
1912A Sailor’s Heart...Writer
1912The Chief's Blanket...Writer
1912Blind Love...Director
1912With the Enemy's Help...Director
1912When Kings Were the Law...Writer
1910Sunshine Sue...Writer