Leo White (actor)

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Leo White

Leo White (born November 10, 1882 in Graudenz , West Prussia , † September 20, 1948 in Glendale , California ) was a German -American actor.

Life

Leo White was born in Graudenz , West Prussia , and grew up in England . He began his career as a stage actor, played in productions by Fred Karno and was also an operetta actor . By Daniel Frohman he was finally brought to Hollywood. Leo White made his first film appearance in 1911. In 1913 he was signed to Essanay . In 1915 Essanay managed to bind Charles Chaplin to himself. From then on Leo White appeared in roles as an elegant gentleman or European nobleman in Chaplin films. A complete exception was the role in Chaplin's film The Vagabond . Here White played an old gypsy.

When Charles Chaplin left Essanay in 1916, Leo White shot additional scenes as a director for Essanay for Chaplin's film Burlesque on Carmen , so that the film was released in double length after Chaplin's departure. Chaplin then sued Essanay, but could not enforce his claims. To this day, Leo White's version is the official version of the film. White also shot other scenes that were linked to remnants of Chaplin's film, the result was released in 1918 under the title Triple Trouble with Chaplin in the leading role.

White starred in over 400 films, including such films as Sunrise - A Song of Two People (1927), Casablanca (1942), and Arsenic and Lace Cap (1944). With the beginning of the sound film era, however, he only received the smallest supporting roles. His last film appearance was in a film by Chaplin in The Great Dictator as the hairdresser of the title character. He died in Glendale near Los Angeles in 1948 .

Filmography (selection)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME White, Leo
BRIEF DESCRIPTION US-American actor
DATE OF BIRTH November 10, 1882
PLACE OF BIRTH Graudenz , Province of West Prussia , Kingdom of Prussia , German Empire
DATE OF DEATH September 20, 1948
Place of death Glendale , California , United States