Joseph Kaufman
Encyclopedia
Joseph Kaufman was an American silent film actor and director prominent during the WW1 years. He was born in Washington, D.C. and died in New York City in the Influenza pandemic of 1918. His wife was silent film star Ethel Clayton
. Kaufman started out as an actor appearing on Broadway in 1903 with Maude Adams
in The Pretty Sister of Jose. 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 the likes of Pauline Frederick
, Marguerite Clark
and Billie Burke
. His last film The Song of Songs starred Elsie Ferguson
. As actor he is reported to have had three teeth knocked out in a screen fight with actor Earl Metcalfe. Following his death in February 1918, both of his parents died, his mother on April 9, 1918 and his father on April 18, 1918.
Ethel Clayton
Ethel Clayton was an American actress of the silent film era.-Career:Clayton's screen debut came in 1909, in a short called Justified. She jockeyed her early film appearances with a burgeoning stage career. Her pretty blond looks were reminiscient of the famous Gibson Girl drawings by Charles Dana...
. Kaufman started out as an actor appearing on Broadway in 1903 with Maude Adams
Maude Adams
Maude Ewing Kiskadden , known professionally as Maude Adams, was an American stage actress who achieved her greatest success as Peter Pan. Adams's personality appealed to a large audience and helped her become the most successful and highest-paid performer of her day, with a yearly income of more...
in The Pretty Sister of Jose. 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
Ethel Clayton
Ethel Clayton was an American actress of the silent film era.-Career:Clayton's screen debut came in 1909, in a short called Justified. She jockeyed her early film appearances with a burgeoning stage career. Her pretty blond looks were reminiscient of the famous Gibson Girl drawings by Charles Dana...
. He directed the likes of Pauline Frederick
Pauline Frederick
Pauline Frederick was a leading Broadway actress who later became known for her motion picture work.-Early years:...
, Marguerite Clark
Marguerite Clark
Marguerite Clark was an American stage and silent film actress.-Early life and theater:Born to a farming family in Avondale, Cincinnati, Ohio, Clark was educated at a Roman Catholic boarding school in Cincinnati...
and Billie Burke
Billie Burke
Mary William Ethelbert Appleton "Billie" Burke was an American actress. She is primarily known to modern audiences as Glinda the Good Witch of the North in the musical film The Wizard of Oz. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Emily Kilbourne in Merrily We Live...
. His last film The Song of Songs starred Elsie Ferguson
Elsie Ferguson
Elsie Louise Ferguson was an American stage and film actress.-Early life:Born in New York City, Elsie Ferguson was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Benson Ferguson, a successful attorney...
. As actor he is reported to have had three teeth knocked out in a screen fight with actor Earl Metcalfe. Following his death in February 1918, both of his parents died, his mother on April 9, 1918 and his father on April 18, 1918.