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{{Short description|American actor (1873–1964)}}
''(for non-related playwright and fellow actor Willard Mack, see [[Willard Mack]])''
{{For|the non-related playwright and fellow actor|Willard Mack}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Wilbur Mack
| name = Wilbur Mack
| image = Wilbur Mack, vaudeville actor (SAYRE 5904).jpg
| image =
| caption =
| caption = Mack in 1914
| birth_name = George Frear Runyon
| birth_name = George Frear Runyon
| birth_date = {{birth date|1873|7|29}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1873|07|29|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Binghamton, New York]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]], New York City, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1964|3|13|1873|7|29}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1964|03|13|1873|07|29|mf=yes}}
| death_place = [[Hollywood, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Hollywood, California]], U.S.
| resting_place = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)]]
| resting_place = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]], [[Hollywood Hills]]
| occupation = Actor
⚫
| spouse = [[Nella Walker]] (divorced)<br>[[Gertrude Purdy]]
| years_active = 1899&ndash;1962
⚫
| spouse = [[Nella Walker]] <br> ({{abbr|m.|married}} 1910; {{abbr|div.|divorced}} 19??)<br>Gertrude Purdy
}}
}}

'''Wilbur Mack''' (born '''George Frear Runyon''',<ref name=sfc>{{cite news |last1=Anthony |first1=Walter |title=Wilbur Mack to Invade Musical Comedy With His Own Production |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37208175/wilbur_mack/ |accessdate=October 15, 2019 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=October 7, 1917 |location=California, San Francisco |page=4|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> July 29, 1873 &ndash; March 13, 1964) was an American film actor and early [[vaudeville]] performer from the 1920s through the 1960s. His film acting career began during the [[silent films|silent film]] era.
'''Wilbur Mack''' (born '''George Frear Runyon''',<ref name=sfc>{{cite news |last1=Anthony |first1=Walter |title=Wilbur Mack to Invade Musical Comedy With His Own Production |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37208175/wilbur_mack/ |access-date=October 15, 2019 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=October 7, 1917 |location=California, San Francisco |page=4|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> July 29, 1873 &ndash; March 13, 1964) was an American film actor and early [[vaudeville]] performer from the 1920s through the 1960s. His film acting career began during the [[silent films|silent film]] era.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Mack was born and raised in [[Binghamton, New York]], and found success performing vaudeville with first wife [[Nella Walker]] ("Mack and Walker"). The couple divorced not far into the marriage and Walker subsequently found success as a supporting actress in the "talkies." Mack, meantime, found a new partner: Gertrude Purdy, with whom he reprised his popular husband and wife vaudeville routine (this time headlined "Mack and Purdy").{{Citation needed |date=October 2019}} In addition to performing, Mack wrote dialogue for skits and words and music for songs in their vaudeville shows.<ref name=sfc/>
Mack was born and raised in [[Binghamton, New York]], and began acting professionally when he joined a [[repertory theatre]] when he was 16.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wilbur Mack almost a shoemaker once |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37208851/wilbur_mack/ |access-date=October 15, 2019 |work=Detroit Free Press |date=July 29, 1931 |location=Michigan, Detroit |page=16|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He found success performing vaudeville with second wife [[Nella Walker]] ("Mack and Walker"). The couple divorced not far into the marriage and Walker subsequently found success as a supporting actress in the "talkies." Mack, meantime, found a new partner: Gertrude Purdy, with whom he reprised his popular husband and wife vaudeville routine (this time headlined "Mack and Purdy").{{Citation needed |date=October 2019}} In addition to performing, Mack wrote dialogue for skits and words and music for songs in their vaudeville shows.<ref name=sfc/>


In 1925 Mack entered into a film acting career. His first film appearance was ''Gold and Grit''.<ref name="bd">{{cite book |last1=Katchmer |first1=George A. |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476609058 |pages=225-226 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VnGeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA225&dq=%22Wilbur+Mack%22+actor&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_06jClp3lAhVFiqwKHU8nDjoQ6AEwAHoECAUQAg#v=onepage&q=%22Wilbur%20Mack%22%20actor&f=false |accessdate=October 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> With wife Gertrude, he also wrote and performed in a [[Vitaphone Varieties|Vitaphone]] romantic comedy pantomime [https://books.google.com/books?id=REaeCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA200&lpg=PA200&dq=An+Everyday+Occurrence+Vitaphone&source=bl&ots=qxoueyURUn&sig=PAkHZuVXfsPQEt0hhYmOO2mqe_Y&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjltoOq9rzZAhXNk1kKHWkYD8EQ6AEILDAB#v=onepage&q=An%20Everyday%20Occurrence% ''An Everyday Occurrence''] (1928).
In 1925 Mack entered into a film acting career. His first film appearance was ''Gold and Grit''.<ref name="bd">{{cite book |last1=Katchmer |first1=George A. |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476609058 |pages=225–226 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VnGeCQAAQBAJ&q=%22Wilbur+Mack%22+actor&pg=PA225 |access-date=October 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> With wife Gertrude, he also wrote and performed in a [[Vitaphone Varieties|Vitaphone]] romantic comedy pantomime [https://books.google.com/books?id=REaeCQAAQBAJ&q=An+Everyday+Occurrence%25&pg=PA200 ''An Everyday Occurrence''] (1928).


Mack made a smooth transition to talking films, but despite racking up an impressive number of appearances had less success finding lead or even featured roles. In 1930 he made thirteen films; from 1931 through 1933 he appeared in twenty-four; and from 1934 until 1939, he was cast fifty-five times. However, forty-five of those appearances were uncredited. His most notable credited role during that period was the 1936 [[crime drama]] ''The Crime Patrol'', alongside Ray Walker.
Mack made a smooth transition to talking films, but despite racking up an impressive number of appearances had less success finding lead or even featured roles. In 1930 he made thirteen films; from 1931 through 1933 he appeared in twenty-four; and from 1934 until 1939, he was cast fifty-five times. However, forty-five of those appearances were uncredited. His most notable credited role during that period was the 1936 [[crime drama]] ''The Crime Patrol'', alongside Ray Walker.


Mack's career in subsequent [[decade]]<nowiki/>s was similar to his career up until that point, with moviegoers seeing him play mostly uncredited roles. Of the seventy-six film appearances he made from 1940 to 1949, only seven were credited. He would continue to appear in both films and [[television]] throughout the 1950s and into 1962, with his last being an uncredited partin the 1962 movie ''[[Who's Got the Action?]]'' starring [[Dean Martin]], [[Lana Turner]], [[Eddie Albert]], and [[Walter Matthau]].
Mack's career in subsequent [[decade]]s was similar to his career up until that point, with moviegoers seeing him play mostly uncredited roles. Of the seventy-six film appearances he made from 1940 to 1949, only seven were credited. He would continue to appear in both films and [[television]] throughout the 1950s and into 1962, with his last being an uncredited part in the 1962 movie ''[[Who's Got the Action?]]'' starring [[Dean Martin]], [[Lana Turner]], [[Eddie Albert]], and [[Walter Matthau]].


Mack was living in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]] when he died on March 13, 1964, and was survived by his wife Gertrude (1896-1967).
Mack was living in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]] when he died on March 13, 1964. His remains are interred at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Hollywood Hills]].<ref>Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson</ref>


==Selected filmography==
==Selected filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[Gold and Grit]]'' (1925) - Jack Crawford
* ''[[The Hidden Way]]'' (1926) - Sid Atkins
* ''[[The Hidden Way]]'' (1926) - Sid Atkins
* ''[[Straight Shootin']]'' (1927) - 'Black' Brody
* ''[[Straight Shootin']]'' (1927) - 'Black' Brody
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* ''[[The Lawyer's Secret]]'' (1931) - Frank - District Attorney (uncredited)
* ''[[The Lawyer's Secret]]'' (1931) - Frank - District Attorney (uncredited)
* ''[[Annabelle's Affairs]]'' (1931) - Vance, assistant hotel manager
* ''[[Annabelle's Affairs]]'' (1931) - Vance, assistant hotel manager
* ''[[Advice to the Lovelorn]]'' (1933) - Reporter
* ''[[Million Dollar Baby (1934 film)|Million Dollar Baby]]'' (1934)
* ''[[The Crime Patrol]]'' (1936) - Vic Santell
* ''[[The Crime Patrol]]'' (1936) - Vic Santell
* ''[[That Gang of Mine]]'' (1940) - Nick Buffalo
* ''[[That Gang of Mine]]'' (1940) - Nick Buffalo
* ''[[The Fatal Hour]]'' (1940) - Police Medical Examiner (uncredited)
* ''[[The Fatal Hour (1940 film)|The Fatal Hour]]'' (1940) - Police Medical Examiner (uncredited)
* ''[[Detective Kitty O'Day]]'' (1944) - Coroner (uncredited)
* ''[[Detective Kitty O'Day]]'' (1944) - Coroner (uncredited)
* ''[[The Frozen Ghost]]'' (1945) - Man in Audience (uncredited)
* ''[[Stage Struck (1948 film)|Stage Struck]]'' (1948) - Prof. Corella
* ''[[Stage Struck (1948 film)|Stage Struck]]'' (1948) - Prof. Corella
* ''[[Ma and Pa Kettle]]'' (1949) - Diner on Train (uncredited)
* ''[[Ma and Pa Kettle (film)|Ma and Pa Kettle]]'' (1949) - Diner on Train (uncredited)
* ''[[Scared Stiff (1953 film)|Scared Stiff]]'' (1953) - Ship Passenger
* ''[[Scared Stiff (1953 film)|Scared Stiff]]'' (1953) - Ship Passenger
* ''[[Who's Got the Action?]]'' (1962) - Groom / Octogenarian (uncredited)
* ''[[Who's Got the Action?]]'' (1962) - Groom / Octogenarian (uncredited)
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|0533101}}
* {{IMDb name|0533101}}


Latest revision as of 07:03, 1 March 2024

For the non-related playwright and fellow actor, see Willard Mack.

Wilbur Mack
Mack in 1914
Born
George Frear Runyon

(1873-07-29)July 29, 1873
Binghamton, New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 13, 1964(1964-03-13) (aged 90)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills
OccupationActor
Years active1899–1962
Spouse(s)Nella Walker
(m. 1910; div. 19??)
Gertrude Purdy

Wilbur Mack (born George Frear Runyon,[1] July 29, 1873 – March 13, 1964) was an American film actor and early vaudeville performer from the 1920s through the 1960s. His film acting career began during the silent film era.

Biography[edit]

Mack was born and raised in Binghamton, New York, and began acting professionally when he joined a repertory theatre when he was 16.[2] He found success performing vaudeville with second wife Nella Walker ("Mack and Walker"). The couple divorced not far into the marriage and Walker subsequently found success as a supporting actress in the "talkies." Mack, meantime, found a new partner: Gertrude Purdy, with whom he reprised his popular husband and wife vaudeville routine (this time headlined "Mack and Purdy").[citation needed] In addition to performing, Mack wrote dialogue for skits and words and music for songs in their vaudeville shows.[1]

In 1925 Mack entered into a film acting career. His first film appearance was Gold and Grit.[3] With wife Gertrude, he also wrote and performed in a Vitaphone romantic comedy pantomime An Everyday Occurrence (1928).

Mack made a smooth transition to talking films, but despite racking up an impressive number of appearances had less success finding lead or even featured roles. In 1930 he made thirteen films; from 1931 through 1933 he appeared in twenty-four; and from 1934 until 1939, he was cast fifty-five times. However, forty-five of those appearances were uncredited. His most notable credited role during that period was the 1936 crime drama The Crime Patrol, alongside Ray Walker.

Mack's career in subsequent decades was similar to his career up until that point, with moviegoers seeing him play mostly uncredited roles. Of the seventy-six film appearances he made from 1940 to 1949, only seven were credited. He would continue to appear in both films and television throughout the 1950s and into 1962, with his last being an uncredited part in the 1962 movie Who's Got the Action? starring Dean Martin, Lana Turner, Eddie Albert, and Walter Matthau.

Mack was living in Hollywood when he died on March 13, 1964. His remains are interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.[4]

Selected filmography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Anthony, Walter (October 7, 1917). "Wilbur Mack to Invade Musical Comedy With His Own Production". San Francisco Chronicle. California, San Francisco. p. 4. Retrieved October 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Wilbur Mack almost a shoemaker once". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. July 29, 1931. p. 16. Retrieved October 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Katchmer, George A. (2015). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. pp. 225–226. ISBN 9781476609058. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  4. ^ Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wilbur Mack.
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