Leo White

Leo White (November 10, 1882 – September 20, 1948), Leo Weiss, was a German-born British-American film and stage actor who appeared as a character actor in many Charlie Chaplin films.

For the American judoka, see Leo White (judoka). For the New Zealand photographer and writer, see Leo Lemuel White.
Leo White
Photoplay, 1917
Born(1882-11-10)November 10, 1882
Graudenz, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
DiedSeptember 20, 1948(1948-09-20) (aged 65)
Glendale, California, U.S.
Years active1911–1948

Biography

Born in Germany, White grew up in England where he began his stage career. He was brought to the United States under the aegis of Daniel Frohman, a Broadway producer. He started his film career in 1911 and in 1913 moved to the Essanay Studios. In 1915, he began appearing in Chaplin's comedies and continued through Chaplin's Mutual Film comedies. His last appearance in a Chaplin film was a small role in The Great Dictator, released in 1940.[1]

White also acted in and directed Triple Trouble (1918), Essanay's last Chaplin release. Chaplin himself acknowledged Triple Trouble in his autobiography but did not actually participate in its production. (White filmed new scenes around existing footage of Chaplin.)[2]

White typically played dapper, continental villains or noblemen in films, and this typecast him for the rest of his screen career. Well into the 1940s, he was still playing excitable Frenchmen in short subjects and feature films. Before his death in 1948, White had appeared in over 400 films.

White died in Glendale, California, of a heart attack at the age of 65 on September 20, 1948.[3]

Filmography

References
  1. allmovie bio on Leo White, by Hal Erickson
  2. Okuda, Ted; Maska, David (2005). Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay: Dawn of the Tramp. iUniverse. ISBN 9780595365982. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  3. "Old-Time Film Actor, Leo White, Dies at 68". The Courier-Journal. September 21, 1948. p. 15.
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