Joseph Kaufman

Joseph Kaufman (1882 – February 1, 1918) was an American silent film actor and director prominent during the World War I years. He was born in Washington, D.C. and died in New York City.

Joseph Kaufman
Motion Picture Magazine, 1916
Born	1882 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	February 1, 1918(1918-02-01) (aged 35–36) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Joseph Kauffman
Occupation	film director
Spouse(s)	Ethel Clayton (m. 19??; his death 1918)

Kaufman graduated from Georgetown University.[1] His wife was silent film star Ethel Clayton.[2]

Kaufman started out as an actor appearing on Broadway in Mistakes Will Happen (1906) and The Pretty Sister of Jose (1903)[3] with Maude Adams. His other Broadway credits included Three Twins (1908), Caught in the Rain (1906), Twiddle-Twaddle (1906), and La Belle Marseillaise (1905).[4] He acted in a troupe of Henry B. Harris.[1]

He eventually changed to acting in and then directing silent films, his output being numerous short films. As American films began to expand to feature length Kaufman followed suit and proved particularly adept and popular at directing beautiful Broadway actresses including his wife Ethel Clayton. He directed Pauline Frederick, Marguerite Clark, and Billie Burke. His last film, The Song of Songs (1918), starred Elsie Ferguson.[5]

Kaufman organized the Motion Picture Directors Association.[2]

As actor he is reported to have had three teeth knocked out in a screen fight with actor Earl Metcalfe.[6] Following his death in February 1918, both of his parents died—his mother on April 9, 1918 and his father on April 18, 1918.[7]