Known For
Acting
Known Credits
218
Gender
Male
Birthday
March 15, 1878 (148 years old)
Place of Birth
Shelby County, Alabama, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry Brazeale Walthall (March 16, 1878 – June 17, 1936) was an American stage and film actor. He appeared as the Little Colonel in D. W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915). In New York in 1901, Walthall won a role in Under Southern Skies by Charlotte Blair Parker. He performed in the play for three years, in New York and on tour. With the company of Henry Miller he gained recognition on Broadway in plays including Pippa Passes, The Only Way and William Vaughn Moody's The Great Divide (1906–08). His fellow cast member James Kirkwood introduced Walthall to D. W. Griffith, and at the conclusion of that engagement, Walthall joined the Biograph Company.
His career in movies began in 1909 at Biograph Studios in New York with a leading role in the film A Convict's Sacrifice. This film also featured James Kirkwood, and was directed by D. W. Griffith, a director that played a huge part in Walthall's rise to stardom. As the industry grew in size and popularity, Griffith emerged as a director and Walthall found himself a mainstay of the Griffith company, frequently working alongside such Griffith regulars as Owen Moore, Kate Bruce, Lillian and Dorothy Gish, Mae Marsh, Bobby Harron and Jack and Mary Pickford. He followed Griffith's departure from New York's Biograph to California's Reliance-Majestic Studios in 1913. After a few months with Reliance, he joined Pathé for a short period.
He decided to go into the producing business and formed The Union Feature Film Company, the first to be devoted entirely to full-length films. The venture was not successful, however, and he again became associated with Griffith's company.
Given the relatively short length of films in the early years, Walthall frequently found himself cast in dozens of films each year. 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.
Walthall continued working in films through the 1920s, appearing in The Plastic Age with Gilbert Roland and Clara Bow. He portrayed Roger Chillingworth in Victor Seastrom's 1926 adaptation of The Scarlet Letter opposite Lillian Gish.
Walthall continued his career into the 1930s. After his performance in director John Ford's 1934 film Judge Priest starring Will Rogers he enjoyed a golden period of his career. He portrayed Dr. Manette in A Tale of Two Cities (1935), starring Ronald Colman. In 1936 he appeared as Marcel in The Devil-Doll. He was gravely ill during his final film, China Clipper.
Frank Capra wanted Walthall to portray the High Lama in his 1937 film, Lost Horizon. "Frail and failing, he died before we could test him," Capra wrote.
Walthall has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard.
| 2019 | I Am Not a Racistas Ben (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| 2002 | London After Midnightas Sir James Hamlin (archive footage) | |
| 1998 | Star Power: The Creation Of United Artistsas Col. Ben Cameron (archive footage) | |
| 1975 | Black Shadows on a Silver Screenas Self (archive footage) | |
| 1942 | Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)as Self (archive footage) | |
| 1936 | China Clipperas Dad Brunn | |
| 1936 | The Devil-Dollas Marcel | |
| 1936 | The Last Outlawas Cal Yates | |
| 1936 | Hearts in Bondageas Capt. Buchanan | |
| 1936 | The Mine with the Iron Dooras David Burton | |
| 1936 | The Garden Murder Caseas Dr. Garden | |
| 1935 | A Tale of Two Citiesas Dr. Manette | |
| 1935 | Dante's Infernoas Pop McWade | |
| 1935 | Helldoradoas Abner Meadows | |
| 1934 | Love Timeas Duke Johann von Hatzfeld | |
| 1934 | A Girl of the Limberlostas Dr. Amon | |
| 1934 | The Lemon Drop Kidas Jonas Deering | |
| 1934 | The Scarlet Letteras Roger Chillingworth | |
| 1934 | Judge Priestas Reverend Ashby Brand | |
| 1934 | The Murder in the Museumas Bernard Latham Wayne, alias Prof. Mysto | |
| 1934 | City Parkas Colonel Henry Randolph Ransome | |
| 1934 | Viva Villa!as Francisco Madero | |
| 1934 | Men in Whiteas enry B. Walthall | |
| 1934 | Beggars in Ermineas Marchant the Blind Man | |
| 1934 | Dark Hazardas Schultz | |
| 1933 | The Sin of Nora Moranas Father Ryan | |
| 1933 | The Wolf Dogas Jim Courtney | |
| 1933 | Her Forgotten Pastas Mr. Maynard | |
| 1933 | Headline Shooteras Judge Beacon (uncredited) | |
| 1933 | The Flaming Signalas Rev. Mr. James | |
| 1933 | Hold Your Manas Clergyman in Alternate Version (uncredited) | |
| 1933 | Somewhere in Sonoraas Bob Leadly | |
| 1933 | The Whispering Shadowas J. D. Bradley | |
| 1933 | 42nd Streetas Concerned Actor (uncredited) | |
| 1932 | Strange Interludeas Professor Leeds | |
| 1932 | Self Defenseas Doctor Borden | |
| 1932 | Central Parkas Eby | |
| 1932 | Me and My Galas Sarge | |
| 1932 | The Cabin in the Cottonas Eph Clinton | |
| 1932 | Klondikeas Mark Armstrong | |
| 1932 | Ride Him, Cowboyas John Gaunt | |
| 1932 | Chandu the Magicianas Robert Regent | |
| 1932 | Alias Mary Smithas Atwell | |
| 1932 | Hotel Continentalas Winthrop | |
| 1932 | Police Courtas Nathaniel "Nat" Barry | |
| 1931 | Anybody's Blondeas Mr. Evans | |
| 1931 | Is There Justice?as District Attorney John Raymond | |
| 1930 | Tol'able Davidas Amos Hatburn | |
| 1930 | Abraham Lincolnas Colonel Marshall | |
| 1930 | The Love Traderas Captain Adams | |
| 1930 | Temple Toweras Blackton | |
| 1929 | Blaze o' Gloryas Burke | |
| 1929 | The Trespasseras Fuller | |
| 1929 | The Phantom in the Houseas Boyd Milburn | |
| 1929 | In Old Californiaas Don Pedro De León | |
| 1929 | Black Magicas Dr. Bradbroke | |
| 1929 | The River of Romanceas General Jeff Rumford | |
| 1929 | From Headquartersas Buffalo Bill Ryan | |
| 1929 | The Bridge of San Luis Reyas Father Juniper | |
| 1929 | Speakeasyas Piano player | |
| 1929 | Stark Madas Capt. Rhodes - Yacht Commander | |
| 1929 | The Jazz Ageas Mr Maxwell | |
| 1928 | Freedom of the Pressas John Ballard | |
| 1928 | Retributionas Henry / Tommy Mooney | |
| 1927 | London After Midnightas Sir James Hamlin | |
| 1927 | A Light in the Windowas Johann Graff | |
| 1927 | Love Me and the World Is Mineas Van Denbosch | |
| 1927 | Wingsas Mr. Armstrong | |
| 1927 | Fighting Loveas Filipo Navarro | |
| 1927 | The Scarlet Letteras Roger Prynne aka Roger Chillingworth | |
| 1926 | Everybody's Actingas Thorpe | |
| 1926 | The Road to Mandalayas Father James | |
| 1926 | The Unknown Soldieras John Phillips | |
| 1926 | The Barrieras Gale Gaylord | |
| 1926 | Three Faces Eastas George Bennett | |
| 1925 | The Plastic Ageas Henry Carver | |
| 1925 | Dollar Downas Alec Craig | |
| 1925 | Kentucky Prideas Mr. Beaumont | |
| 1925 | Kit Carson Over the Great Divideas Dr. Samuel Webb | |
| 1925 | The Girl Who Wouldn't Workas William Hale | |
| 1925 | The Golden Bedas Col. Peake | |
| 1924 | Single Wivesas Franklin Dexter | |
| 1924 | The Woman on the Juryas Prosecuting Attorney | |
| 1923 | Boy of Mineas William Latimer | |
| 1923 | The Unknown Purpleas Peter Marchmont / Victor Cromport | |
| 1923 | Gimmeas John McGimsey | |
| 1923 | The Face on the Barroom Flooras Robert Stevens | |
| 1922 | The Long Chanceas Harley P. Hennage | |
| 1922 | The Kickbackas Aaron Price | |
| 1922 | One Clear Callas Henry Garnett | |
| 1922 | The Able-Minded Ladyas Breezy Bright | |
| 1921 | Flower of the Northas Philip Whitemore | |
| 1920 | A Splendid Hazardas Karl Breitman | |
| 1920 | Parted Curtainsas Joe Jenkins | |
| 1920 | The Confessionas Father Bartlett | |
| 1919 | The Long Arm of Mannisteras George Mannister | |
| 1919 | The Boomerangas George Gray | |
| 1919 | Modern Husbandsas Stephen Duane | |
| 1919 | The False Facesas Michael Lanyard | |
| 1919 | The Long Lane's Turningas Harry Sevier | |
| 1918 | The Great Loveas Sir Roger Brighton | |
| 1918 | Humdrum Brownas Hector 'Humdrum' Brown | |
| 1918 | His Robe of Honoras Julian Randolph | |
| 1916 | Pillars of Societyas Karsten Bernick | |
| 1916 | The Sting of Victoryas David Whiting / Walker Whiting | |
| 1916 | The Strange Case of Mary Pageas Phil Langdon, Attorney | |
| 1916 | The Misleading Ladyas Jack Craiger | |
| 1915 | The Ravenas Edgar Allan Poe | |
| 1915 | The Outer Edgeas Dr. Rownlee | |
| 1915 | The Circular Pathas Reverend Darwin Kirby | |
| 1915 | Temperas Frank Bradbury | |
| 1915 | Ghostsas Captain Alving / Oswald | |
| 1915 | The Birth of a Nationas Col. Ben Cameron | |
| 1915 | Rod of Wrathas Erickson's Son | |
| 1914 | The Odalisqueas Joe, in love with May | |
| 1914 | The Avenging Conscienceas The Nephew | |
| 1914 | Lord Chumleyas Lord Chumley | |
| 1914 | Home, Sweet Homeas John Howard Payne | |
| 1914 | The Mountain Ratas Douglas Williams | |
| 1914 | The Old Manas The Old Man | |
| 1914 | The Mysterious Shotas The Gopher | |
| 1914 | The Floor Aboveas Stephen Pryde | |
| 1914 | Strongheartas Soangataha / Strongheart | |
| 1914 | Judith of Bethuliaas Holofernes | |
| 1914 | The Green-Eyed Devilas | |
| 1914 | Classmatesas Duncan Irving | |
| 1914 | The Gangsters of New Yorkas Porky Dugan | |
| 1914 | The Awakening of Donna Isollaas The President of the Republic | |
| 1913 | The Battle at Elderbush Gulchas The Indian Chief's Son | |
| 1913 | A Woman in the Ultimateas Badger Gang Member | |
| 1913 | Two Men of the Desertas First Partner | |
| 1913 | The Mirroras The Station Agent | |
| 1913 | During the Round-Upas The Stranger | |
| 1913 | A Gambler's Honoras Beth's Brother | |
| 1913 | Her Mother's Oathas The Actor | |
| 1913 | The Switchtoweras The Switchman | |
| 1913 | Death's Marathonas The Husband | |
| 1913 | The Stolen Loafas The Poor Man | |
| 1913 | The Tenderfoot's Moneyas The Prospector | |
| 1913 | The Wandereras The Wanderer | |
| 1913 | If We Only Knewas The Father | |
| 1913 | The Lady and the Mouseas The First Rival | |
| 1913 | The Little Teaseas The Valley Man | |
| 1913 | The Perfidy of Maryas The Poet | |
| 1913 | The Sheriff's Babyas First Bandit | |
| 1913 | Broken Waysas The Road Agent | |
| 1913 | Love in an Apartment Hotelas The Young Woman's Fiance | |
| 1913 | Oil and Wateras The Idealist | |
| 1913 | Three Friendsas The Husband | |
| 1912 | The God Withinas The Woodsman | |
| 1912 | The Burglar’s Dilemmaas The Householder's Weakling Brother | |
| 1912 | My Heroas Indian Charlie | |
| 1912 | Brutalityas Actor In Oliver Twist | |
| 1912 | The Informeras The False Brother | |
| 1912 | My Babyas The Husband | |
| 1912 | The One She Lovedas The Husband | |
| 1912 | In the Aisles of the Wildas Jim Watson | |
| 1912 | A Feud in the Kentucky Hillsas A Psalm Singer | |
| 1912 | So Near, Yet So Faras In Club | |
| 1912 | Friendsas Dandy Jack | |
| 1912 | Two Daughters of Eveas The Father | |
| 1911 | For His Sakeas | |
| 1911 | Souls Courageousas | |
| 1911 | The Command from Galileeas The Lover | |
| 1910 | Where the Sea and the Shore Doth Meetas | |
| 1910 | The Armorer’s Daughteras Macennas | |
| 1910 | The Gray of the Dawnas | |
| 1910 | The Iconoclastas | |
| 1910 | Rose o' Salem Townas The Trapper | |
| 1910 | The Oath and the Manas Henri Prevost | |
| 1910 | In Life's Cycleas Vincent, as an Adult | |
| 1910 | A Summer Idyllas | |
| 1910 | Wilful Peggyas The Lord | |
| 1910 | The Sorrows of the Unfaithfulas Bill | |
| 1910 | The Usureras One of the Second Debtors | |
| 1910 | The House with Closed Shuttersas Charles Randolph - The Confederate Soldier | |
| 1910 | The Call to Armsas The Lord | |
| 1910 | A Flash of Lightas Younger John Rogers | |
| 1910 | In the Border Statesas Confederate Corporal | |
| 1910 | A Child of the Ghettoas The Farmer | |
| 1910 | Ramonaas Alessandro | |
| 1910 | The Two Brothersas Pedro | |
| 1910 | The Face at the Windowas Ralph Bradford | |
| 1910 | Love Among the Rosesas The Lord | |
| 1910 | The Tenderfoot's Triumphas A Horse Thief | |
| 1910 | The Kidas Walter Holden | |
| 1910 | The Gold Seekersas The Prospector | |
| 1910 | The Way of the Worldas | |
| 1910 | In Old Californiaas Perdita's Son | |
| 1910 | The Thread of Destinyas Estrada | |
| 1910 | Thou Shalt Notas | |
| 1910 | The Newlywedsas A Friend / At Station Reception | |
| 1910 | Gold Is Not Allas Man at Party | |
| 1910 | The Convertsas | |
| 1910 | The Cloister’s Touchas The Father | |
| 1910 | The Honor of His Familyas George Pickett Jr. | |
| 1910 | The Callas Billy Harvey | |
| 1910 | On the Reefas Mr. Wilson | |
| 1910 | His Last Burglaryas | |
| 1909 | The Heart of an Outlawas The Mexican Lover | |
| 1909 | The Day Afteras Party Guest | |
| 1909 | In Little Italyas Victor Ratazzi | |
| 1909 | A Trap for Santa Clausas Arthur Rogers (uncredited) | |
| 1909 | A Corner in Wheatas Wheat King's Assistant | |
| 1909 | Fools of Fateas | |
| 1909 | Pippa Passesas | |
| 1909 | In Old Kentuckyas Robert, the Confederate son | |
| 1909 | The Broken Locketas Mexican Man | |
| 1909 | Getting Evenas Miner | |
| 1909 | 1776, or The Hessian Renegadesas | |
| 1909 | The Sealed Roomas The Minstrel | |
| 1909 | The Little Darlingas In Boarding House | |
| 1909 | Pranksas Sunbather | |
| 1909 | They Would Elopeas | |
| 1909 | The Mended Luteas Indian | |
| 1909 | A Strange Meetingas A Thief | |
| 1909 | The Slaveas Alachus' Friend | |
| 1908 | Rescued from an Eagle's Nestas Woodsman |
| 1915 | The Birth of a Nation...Assistant Director |