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Wilfred Lucas

Acting 69 (deceased) years old Norfolk, Ontario, Canada ★ 0.3
Born: January 29, 1871
Died: December 13, 1940

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wilfred Lucas (January 30, 1871 – December 13, 1940) was a Canadian-born American stage actor who found success in film as an actor, director, and screenwriter.

Wilfred Lucas made his Broadway debut in 1904, playing in both the The Blue Grass Handicap and The Superstition of Sue. Following his 1906 role in the highly successful play The Chorus Lady, he was recruited to the fledgling Biograph Studios by D. W. Griffith.

At the time, the film business was still looked down upon by many members of the theatrical community. In her 1925 book titled When the Movies Were Young, Griffith's wife, actress Linda Arvidson, told the story of the early days at Biograph Studios. In it, she referred to Lucas as the "first real grand actor, democratic enough to work in Biograph movies." In 1908 Lucas made his motion picture debut in Griffith's The Greaser's Gauntlet, appearing in more than 50 of these short (usually 17 minutes) films over the next two years.

In 1910 while still acting, he wrote the script for Griffith's film Sunshine Sue, which was followed by many more scripts by 1924. Lucas also began directing in 1912 with Griffith on An Outcast Among Outcasts, and directed another 44 films over the next 20 years.

In early 1916 he starred as John Carter in Acquitted, about which Photoplay wrote, "No single performance in the records of active photography has surpassed his visualization of the humble book-keeper in Acquitted." Later in 1916 he appeared in D.W. Griffith's film Intolerance.

Part of the group of Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood, Lucas became friends and sometimes starred with Mary Pickford, Sam De Grasse, and Marie Dressler. Canadian-born director Mack Sennett hired him to both direct and act in a large number of films at his Keystone Studios.

Lucas made the successful transition from silent film to sound. While working in Hollywood, in 1926 he returned to the stage, performing in several Broadway plays. He later appeared as a foil for Laurel and Hardy in their feature films Pardon Us and A Chump at Oxford.

During his long career, Wilfred Lucas appeared in more than 375 films. Although for a time he was cast in leading roles, he became very successful as secondary and minor characters, making a good living in the film industry for more than three decades.

Filmography

Acting Credits (278)

The Best of Laurel and Hardy
The Best of Laurel and Hardy The Warden (archive footage) (uncredited) 1968
The Sea Wolf
The Sea Wolf 1941
Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe Trail Weiner (uncredited) 1940
A Dispatch from Reuters
A Dispatch from Reuters Board Member (uncredited) 1940
Triple Justice
Triple Justice Constable Herb at Tule Mesa 1940
They Drive by Night
They Drive by Night Bailiff (uncredited) 1940
Women in Hiding
Women in Hiding Policeman (uncredited) 1940
Brother Orchid
Brother Orchid Brother MacDonald 1940
Waterloo Bridge
Waterloo Bridge Elderly Huntsman at Estate Dance (uncredited) 1940
Edison, the Man
Edison, the Man Broker 1940
Tear Gas Squad
Tear Gas Squad Policeman 1940
Virginia City
Virginia City Southerner (uncredited) 1940
Women Without Names
Women Without Names Roomer 1940
The Fighting 69th
The Fighting 69th Eye Doctor (uncredited) 1940
A Chump at Oxford
A Chump at Oxford Dean Williams 1940
Legion of the Lawless
Legion of the Lawless East Ivestown Leader (uncredited) 1940
Four Wives
Four Wives Stationmaster (uncredited) 1939
Nick Carter, Master Detective
Nick Carter, Master Detective Police Detective Randall 1939
Raffles
Raffles Bobby 1939
The Marshal Of Mesa City
The Marshal Of Mesa City Marshal Andy Thompson (uncredited) 1939
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Pompous Man (uncredited) 1939
The Day the Bookies Wept
The Day the Bookies Wept Bill, Man Outside Racetrack (uncredited) 1939
Each Dawn I Die
Each Dawn I Die Bailiff (uncredited) 1939
Zenobia
Zenobia Undetermined Role 1939
Women in the Wind
Women in the Wind Burbank Offical (uncredited) 1939
Dodge City
Dodge City Bartender (uncredited) 1939
Almost a Gentleman
Almost a Gentleman Dog Show Director 1939
Breakdowns of 1938
Breakdowns of 1938 Race Judge (archive footage) (uncredited) 1938
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence John Dickinson (uncredited) 1938
Brother Rat
Brother Rat Ballfield Doctor 1938
A Man to Remember
A Man to Remember Man at Hospital Dedication (uncredited) 1938
Down on the Farm
Down on the Farm Wheeler 1938
Freshman Year
Freshman Year Professor Ullrich 1938
Four Daughters
Four Daughters Doctor (uncredited) 1938
Safety in Numbers
Safety in Numbers Councilman 1938
Over the Wall
Over the Wall Cell Block Keeper 1938
Night Spot
Night Spot Police Lieutenant 1938
The Baroness and the Butler
The Baroness and the Butler Member of Parliament 1938
The Daredevil Drivers
The Daredevil Drivers Race Judge 1938
She Loved a Fireman
She Loved a Fireman Fire Tug Captain 1937
Missing Witnesses
Missing Witnesses Judge in Wagner Case (uncredited) 1937
The Man Without a Country
The Man Without a Country Lincoln's Secretary (uncredited) 1937
Navy Blue and Gold
Navy Blue and Gold Ship's Captain (uncredited) 1937
The Westland Case
The Westland Case Gun Dealer 1937
Idol of the Crowds
Idol of the Crowds Doctor (uncredited) 1937
Hot Water
Hot Water Customer in Drugstore (uncredited) 1937
Prairie Thunder
Prairie Thunder Nate Temple 1937
Varsity Show
Varsity Show Police Commissioner (uncredited) 1937
Varsity Show
Varsity Show Police Commissioner 1937
Talent Scout
Talent Scout Director of Screen Test (uncredited) 1937
Empty Holsters
Empty Holsters John Ware 1937
Blazing Sixes
Blazing Sixes Sheriff Tom 1937
Marked Woman
Marked Woman Jury Foreman #1 (uncredited) 1937
Mile a Minute Love
Mile a Minute Love Drexel 1937
Land Beyond the Law
Land Beyond the Law Jim Blake (uncredited) 1937
The Super Snooper
The Super Snooper 1937
Black Legion
Black Legion Bailiff (uncredited) 1937
Criminal Lawyer
Criminal Lawyer Brandon's Assistant 1937
We Who Are About to Die
We Who Are About to Die Prison Yard Captain (uncredited) 1937
Beloved Enemy
Beloved Enemy Doctor (Uncredited) 1936
Give Me Liberty
Give Me Liberty His Excellency Permitting Henry's Arrest (uncredited) 1936
Midnight Blunders
Midnight Blunders Professor Edwin Millstone (uncredited) 1936
California Mail
California Mail Sheriff 1936
The Devil-Doll
The Devil-Doll Off-Screen Voice (voice / uncredited) 1936
High Tension
High Tension Businessman 1936
The White Angel
The White Angel Raglan Staff Officer (uncredited) 1936
Human Cargo
Human Cargo Police Chief 1936
The Country Doctor
The Country Doctor Proprietor (uncredited) 1936
Love on a Bet
Love on a Bet Man at Hutchinson's Meeting 1936
The Preview Murder Mystery
The Preview Murder Mystery Director (Uncredited) 1936
The Prisoner of Shark Island
The Prisoner of Shark Island Testifying Colonel (uncredited) 1936
Modern Times
Modern Times Juvenile Officer 1936
Chatterbox
Chatterbox Himself (uncredited) 1936
Kind Lady
Kind Lady First Scotland Yard Man (uncredited) 1935
Show Them No Mercy!
Show Them No Mercy! Druggist (uncredited) 1935
Frisco Kid
Frisco Kid First Policeman (uncredited) 1935
Rip Roaring Riley
Rip Roaring Riley Chief Martin 1935
Stormy
Stormy Mack's Horse Trainer (uncredited) 1935
Stranded
Stranded Pat, a Welfare Worker (uncredited) 1935
The Arizonian
The Arizonian Townsman with Mayor 1935
Vagabond Lady
Vagabond Lady Dock Official (uncredited) 1935
Les Misérables
Les Misérables Onlooker 1935
Naughty Marietta
Naughty Marietta Announcer (uncredited) 1935
Angkor
Angkor Wilfred Lucas, game hunter 1935
Chandu on the Magic Island
Chandu on the Magic Island Capt. Walker 1935
Shrimps for a Day
Shrimps for a Day Mr. Wade 1934
Love Time
Love Time Dignitary (uncredited) 1934
Cleopatra
Cleopatra Roman Greeting Antony (uncredited) 1934
The Return of Chandu
The Return of Chandu Capt. Wilson [Chs. 4-12] 1934
The Dragon Murder Case
The Dragon Murder Case Police Sergeant (uncredited) 1934
One Night of Love
One Night of Love Metropolitan Operagoer 1934
Upperworld
Upperworld Boat Captain (uncredited) 1934
Apples to You!
Apples to You! Chairman of the Board 1934
The Moth
The Moth John Gale 1934
The House on 56th Street
The House on 56th Street Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited) 1933
Air Fright
Air Fright Mr. Lucas, Airline Superintendent 1933
Advice to the Lovelorn
Advice to the Lovelorn 1933
Mary Stevens, M.D.
Mary Stevens, M.D. Andrews' Lawyer Barry (uncredited) 1933
Midnight Mary
Midnight Mary Nightclub Bouncer (uncredited) 1933
The Mayor of Hell
The Mayor of Hell Bill (uncredited) 1933
Strange People
Strange People John Davis 1933
The Sphinx
The Sphinx Prosecuting Attorney 1933
I Cover the Waterfront
I Cover the Waterfront Randall 1933
The Devil's Brother
The Devil's Brother 1933
The Big Cage
The Big Cage Bob Mills 1933
The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers El Shaitan 1933
The Intruder
The Intruder Mr. Wayne 1933
Phantom Thunderbolt
Phantom Thunderbolt Eaton - Railroad President 1933
Racetrack
Racetrack Mr. Ryan 1933
Sister to Judas
Sister to Judas Mike O'Flanagan 1932
Lawyer Man
Lawyer Man Second Jury Foreman (uncredited) 1932
The Secrets of Wu Sin
The Secrets of Wu Sin Pharmacist 1932
You Said a Mouthful
You Said a Mouthful Official (uncredited) 1932
Lucky Larrigan
Lucky Larrigan John Larrigan 1932
The Unwritten Law
The Unwritten Law Captain Kane 1932
Call Her Savage
Call Her Savage Child Welfare Official (Uncredited) 1932
The Devil Horse
The Devil Horse Whitney [Ch. 1] (uncredited) 1932
Free Wheeling
Free Wheeling The Specialist 1932
Big City Blues
Big City Blues Policeman (uncredited) 1932
Devil and the Deep
Devil and the Deep Court Martial Judge (uncredited) 1932
What Price Hollywood?
What Price Hollywood? Bill the Replacement Director (uncredited) 1932
The Dark Horse
The Dark Horse Debate Chairman 1932
Stockholm ”Queen of the Baltic”
Stockholm ”Queen of the Baltic” 1932
The Midnight Patrol
The Midnight Patrol 1932
Careless Lady
Careless Lady Ship's Purser 1932
Red Noses
Red Noses Mr. Lucas 1932
Cross-Examination
Cross-Examination Judge Hollister 1932
The Tabasco Kid
The Tabasco Kid Sheriff's Deputy 1932
House of Mystery
House of Mystery Sheriff Franklin 1931
Rich Man's Folly
Rich Man's Folly 1931
Convicted
Convicted Capt. Hammond 1931
The Phantom
The Phantom Dist. Atty. John Hampton 1931
The Age for Love
The Age for Love Undetermined Role 1931
Graft
Graft Candidate Louis 1931
The Galloping Ghost
The Galloping Ghost Sportscaster 1931
Big Ears
Big Ears Doctor 1931
Pardon Us
Pardon Us Warden 1931
Stranger in Town
Stranger in Town J.P. Walker 1931
Homicide Squad
Homicide Squad 1931
Young Donovan's Kid
Young Donovan's Kid Duryea 1931
Dishonored
Dishonored 1931
Men Call It Love
Men Call It Love Sam Ellery (uncredited) 1931
Millie
Millie Millie's Elderly Escort (uncredited) 1931
Just Imagine
Just Imagine X-10 1930
Looser Than Loose
Looser Than Loose Mr. Gillstrom, Charley's Boss 1930
Love Your Neighbor
Love Your Neighbor 1930
Madam Satan
Madam Satan Roman Senator 1930
Those Who Dance
Those Who Dance Big Ben Benson 1930
Cock o' the Walk
Cock o' the Walk Señor Vallejo 1930
The Arizona Kid
The Arizona Kid Manager 1930
Hello Sister
Hello Sister Dr. Saltus 1930
Burnt Fingers
Burnt Fingers Lord Cumberly 1927
The Sorrows of Satan
The Sorrows of Satan Minister (uncredited) 1926
Her Sacrifice
Her Sacrifice Edwin Ramsey 1926
Cyclone Cavalier
Cyclone Cavalier Hugh Clayton 1925
The Wife Who Wasn't Wanted
The Wife Who Wasn't Wanted Judge Bledsoe 1925
How Baxter Butted In
How Baxter Butted In R.S. Falk 1925
The Bad Lands
The Bad Lands Col. Owen 1925
Youth's Gamble
Youth's Gamble Harry Blaine 1925
The Snob Buster
The Snob Buster John Pendergast 1925
A Broadway Butterfly
A Broadway Butterfly Stage Manager 1925
Riders of the Purple Sage
Riders of the Purple Sage Oldring 1925
As No Man Has Loved
As No Man Has Loved Maj. Bissell 1925
Lightning Romance
Lightning Romance Richard Wade 1924
The Price She Paid
The Price She Paid James Presbury 1924
The Fatal Mistake
The Fatal Mistake 1924
Racing for Life
Racing for Life Hudford 1924
Passion's Pathway
Passion's Pathway Richard Stanton 1924
The Fighting Sap
The Fighting Sap Charles Richmond 1924
The Valley of Hate
The Valley of Hate Old Jim Darley 1924
Valley of Hate
Valley of Hate Old Jim Darley 1924
Daughters of Pleasure
Daughters of Pleasure Mark Hadley 1924
Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall
Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall Earl of Rutland 1924
North of Nevada
North of Nevada C. Hanaford 1924
The Mask of Lopez
The Mask of Lopez Richard O'Neil 1924
Trilby
Trilby The Laird 1923
The Greatest Menace
The Greatest Menace Charles W. Wright 1923
The Girl of the Golden West
The Girl of the Golden West Ashby 1923
Can a Woman Love Twice?
Can a Woman Love Twice? Franklyn Chase 1923
Jazzmania
Jazzmania Julius Furman 1923
Heroes of the Street
Heroes of the Street 1922
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby Capt. Wolff 1922
Paid Back
Paid Back Ship Captain 1922
Flesh and Blood
Flesh and Blood The Policeman 1922
Across the Dead-Line
Across the Dead-Line Aaron Kidder 1922
The Beautiful Liar
The Beautiful Liar Gaston Allegretti 1921
The Fighting Breed
The Fighting Breed John MacDonald 1921
One a Minute
One a Minute Prosecutor (uncredited) 1921
Through the Back Door
Through the Back Door Elton Reeves 1921
The Breaking Point
The Breaking Point Mortimer Davidson 1921
The Jackeroo of Coolabong
The Jackeroo of Coolabong John MacDonald 1920
The Shadow of Lightning Ridge
The Shadow of Lightning Ridge Edward Mariott 1920
The Man from Kangaroo
The Man from Kangaroo Red Jack Braggan 1920
Soldiers of Fortune
Soldiers of Fortune President Alvarez 1919
A Woman of Pleasure
A Woman of Pleasure Sir John Thornbull 1919
The Girl from Nowhere
The Girl from Nowhere Diamond Terry 1919
The Westerners
The Westerners Jim Buckley 1919
The Hushed Hour
The Hushed Hour Robert Appleton Jr. 1919
What Every Woman Wants
What Every Woman Wants Horace Lennon 1919
The Judgment House
The Judgment House Rudyard Byng 1917
The Co-respondent
The Co-respondent Richard Manning 1917
Sins of Ambition
Sins of Ambition Andrew Maxwell 1917
The Food Gamblers
The Food Gamblers Henry Havens 1917
Souls Triumphant
Souls Triumphant Robert Powers 1917
Hands Up!
Hands Up! John Houston 1917
A Love Sublime
A Love Sublime Philip 1917
Jim Bludso
Jim Bludso Jim Bludso 1917
The Microscope Mystery
The Microscope Mystery Doc Arnold 1916
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages Extra (uncredited) 1916
Hell-to-Pay Austin
Hell-to-Pay Austin Hell-to-Pay Austin 1916
A Wild Girl of the Sierras
A Wild Girl of the Sierras Jim Hamilton 1916
Macbeth
Macbeth Macduff 1916
Acquitted
Acquitted John Carter 1916
The Wood Nymph
The Wood Nymph Fred Arnold 1916
The Lily and the Rose
The Lily and the Rose Jack Van Norman 1915
The Spanish Jade
The Spanish Jade Osmund Manvers 1915
Brute Force
Brute Force Brute Force 1914
Gentleman Burglar
Gentleman Burglar Baffles 1914
A Tender-Hearted Crook
A Tender-Hearted Crook 1913
Pure Gold and Dross
Pure Gold and Dross 1913
The Widow and the Widower
The Widow and the Widower The Widower 1913
The Massacre
The Massacre Stephen 1912
A Sailor’s Heart
A Sailor’s Heart The Sailor 1912
A Pueblo Legend
A Pueblo Legend The Indian Girl's Great Brother 1912
Man's Genesis
Man's Genesis Bruteforce 1912
A Temporary Truce
A Temporary Truce An Indian (uncredited) 1912
Home Folks
Home Folks The Blacksmith 1912
When Kings Were the Law
When Kings Were the Law The King of Romanda 1912
Just Like a Woman
Just Like a Woman The Wealthy Friend 1912
Fate's Interception
Fate's Interception The American 1912
The Girl and Her Trust
The Girl and Her Trust 1912
The Goddess of Sagebrush Gulch
The Goddess of Sagebrush Gulch Minor Role (uncredited) 1912
Under Burning Skies
Under Burning Skies Joe 1912
Billy's Stratagem
Billy's Stratagem Billy's Father 1912
The Transformation of Mike
The Transformation of Mike Mike 1912
A Terrible Discovery
A Terrible Discovery The District Attorney 1911
The Failure
The Failure The Clerk 1911
A Woman Scorned
A Woman Scorned The Doctor 1911
The Miser's Heart
The Miser's Heart First Crook 1911
Love in the Hills
Love in the Hills The Manley Suitor 1911
The Long Road
The Long Road A Policeman 1911
The Making of a Man
The Making of a Man In Second Audience 1911
Swords and Hearts
Swords and Hearts Hugh Frazier 1911
The Rose of Kentucky
The Rose of Kentucky The planter 1911
The Blind Princess and the Poet
The Blind Princess and the Poet Princess's Father 1911
The Sorrowful Example
The Sorrowful Example The Husband 1911
The Indian Brothers
The Indian Brothers The Indian Chief's Brother 1911
The Thief and the Girl
The Thief and the Girl The Thief 1911
Fighting Blood
Fighting Blood 1911
The Primal Call
The Primal Call The Fisherman 1911
Enoch Arden: Part II
Enoch Arden: Part II Enoch Arden 1911
Enoch Arden
Enoch Arden Enoch Arden 1911
Enoch Arden: Part I
Enoch Arden: Part I 1911
The New Dress
The New Dress Jose 1911
Madame Rex
Madame Rex 1911
The Broken Cross
The Broken Cross 1911
The Spanish Gypsy
The Spanish Gypsy Jose 1911
The Lonedale Operator
The Lonedale Operator The Fireman 1911
His Daughter
His Daughter 1911
The Diamond Star
The Diamond Star John Wilson 1911
Fisher Folks
Fisher Folks Steve Hardester 1911
What Shall We Do with Our Old?
What Shall We Do with Our Old? Violent Jailbird 1911
Heart Beats of Long Ago
Heart Beats of Long Ago The Lover 1911
His Trust Fulfilled
His Trust Fulfilled George 1911
His Trust
His Trust George 1911
When a Man Loves
When a Man Loves 1911
The Two Paths
The Two Paths Nellie's Husband 1911
Winning Back His Love
Winning Back His Love Frederick Wallace 1910
The Rocky Road
The Rocky Road 1910
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
1776, or The Hessian Renegades 1909
A Strange Meeting
A Strange Meeting 1909
The Renunciation
The Renunciation 1909
The Girls and Daddy
The Girls and Daddy 1909
The Honor of Thieves
The Honor of Thieves 1909
The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew 1908
The Girl and the Outlaw
The Girl and the Outlaw 1908
The Greaser's Gauntlet
The Greaser's Gauntlet Jose 1908
The Nest
The Nest Howard Hardy

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