Rex Cherryman
Encyclopedia
Rexford Raymond "Rex" Cherryman (October 30, 1896 – August 11, 1928) was an American
actor of the stage and screen whose career was most prolific during the 1920s.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
, Rex Cherryman attended Colgate University
, (Hamilton, New York) in 1915-1916. He transferred to the University of Michigan
(Ann Arbor) in 1916. There he met fellow student Esther Louise Lamb. Esther and Rex were married February 9, 1918. They had one son, Rexford Raymond Cherryman, Jr., born October 10, 1925. Rexford, Jr. married Beatrice Wishard in 1950. They had two daughters: Ann Elizabeth Cherryman (born 1951) and Constance Lamb Cherryman (born 1954).
Cherryman began his film career appearing in the 1919 comedic film In For Thirty Days as Count Dronsky, opposite popular leading lady of the silent film era, May Allison
. The following year, Cherryman was chosen by the notable screen diva Alla Nazimova
to appear opposite her as Thorne, in her penned dramatic film Madame Peacock
. Cherryman and Nazimova developed a friendship and at Nazimova's request, he was cast in the role Gaston Rieux in the 1921 film that would possibly become his most recalled performance - 1921's Metro Pictures Corporation film adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas, fils
novel La Dame aux Camélias, retitled as Camille
. The film was an enormous critical and public success, placing Cherryman directly in the public consciousness. The film also starred Rudolph Valentino
, Nazimova and Patsy Ruth Miller
. Cherryman also appeared in the 1923 film Sunshine Trail in the role of Willis Duckworth. Cherryman's last film performance was a small role in the 1928 film Two Masters.
In addition to films, Cherryman was frequently involved with Broadway
and various summer stock productions including the Denham Theatre in Denver, and the Aladdin Theatre in San Francisco, where he first met Barbara Stanwyck
. He made several notable appearances on the stage. Among them were the musical comedy Topsy and Eva which ran from 1924 through 1925, The Valley of Content in 1925, and the Willard Mack
penned drama The Noose
, which ran from 1926 through 1927. While performing in the The Noose, Cherryman had an affair with fellow cast member Stanwyck. The Noose would subsequently become one of the biggest hits of the season and help launch Stanwyck's career. Cherryman's last stint on Broadway was a starring role in the 1927 dramatic production of The Trial of Mary Dugan opposite actor Robert Cummings
at the National Theatre.
In August 1928, while sailing to France to read for a play in Paris, Cherryman contracted septic poisoning
and died in Le Havre, France at the age of 31. His body was returned to Hollywood. His cremated remains are at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
, California. Esther's remains are in the same vault.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor of the stage and screen whose career was most prolific during the 1920s.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, Rex Cherryman attended Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
, (Hamilton, New York) in 1915-1916. He transferred to the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
(Ann Arbor) in 1916. There he met fellow student Esther Louise Lamb. Esther and Rex were married February 9, 1918. They had one son, Rexford Raymond Cherryman, Jr., born October 10, 1925. Rexford, Jr. married Beatrice Wishard in 1950. They had two daughters: Ann Elizabeth Cherryman (born 1951) and Constance Lamb Cherryman (born 1954).
Cherryman began his film career appearing in the 1919 comedic film In For Thirty Days as Count Dronsky, opposite popular leading lady of the silent film era, May Allison
May Allison
May Allison was an American stage and film actress whose greatest success was achieved in the early part of the 20th century in the medium of silent film.-Life and career:...
. The following year, Cherryman was chosen by the notable screen diva Alla Nazimova
Alla Nazimova
Alla Nazimova , was a Russian American film and theatre actress, a screenwriter and film producer. She is perhaps best known as simply Nazimova, but also went under the name Alia Nasimoff.-Early life:...
to appear opposite her as Thorne, in her penned dramatic film Madame Peacock
Madame Peacock
Madame Peacock is a 1920 silent film drama written, produced by and starring Alla Nazimova and distributed by Metro Pictures. A lost film. -Cast:*Alla Nazimova - Jane Goring/Gloria Cromwell*George Probert - Robert McNaughton...
. Cherryman and Nazimova developed a friendship and at Nazimova's request, he was cast in the role Gaston Rieux in the 1921 film that would possibly become his most recalled performance - 1921's Metro Pictures Corporation film adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas, fils
Alexandre Dumas, fils
Alexandre Dumas, fils was a French author and dramatist. He was the son of Alexandre Dumas, père, also a writer and playwright.-Biography:...
novel La Dame aux Camélias, retitled as Camille
Camille (1921 film)
Camille is a 1921 silent film starring Rudolph Valentino and Alla Nazimova. It is one of numerous screen adaptations of La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The original play opened in Paris in 1852. The first Broadway production of the play opened on 9 December 1853...
. The film was an enormous critical and public success, placing Cherryman directly in the public consciousness. The film also starred Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. A sex symbol of the 1920s, Valentino was known as the "Latin Lover". He starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Eagle and Son of the Sheik...
, Nazimova and Patsy Ruth Miller
Patsy Ruth Miller
Patsy Ruth Miller was an American film actress.After being discovered by the actress Alla Nazimova at a Hollywood party, Patsy Ruth Miller got her first break with a small role in Camille, which starred Rudolph Valentino...
. Cherryman also appeared in the 1923 film Sunshine Trail in the role of Willis Duckworth. Cherryman's last film performance was a small role in the 1928 film Two Masters.
In addition to films, Cherryman was frequently involved with Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and various summer stock productions including the Denham Theatre in Denver, and the Aladdin Theatre in San Francisco, where he first met Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck was an American actress. She was a film and television star, known during her 60-year career as a consummate and versatile professional with a strong screen presence, and a favorite of directors including Cecil B. DeMille, Fritz Lang and Frank Capra...
. He made several notable appearances on the stage. Among them were the musical comedy Topsy and Eva which ran from 1924 through 1925, The Valley of Content in 1925, and the Willard Mack
Willard Mack
Willard Mack was a Canadian-born actor, director, and playwright.Born Charles McLaughlin, in Morrisburg, Ontario, at an early age his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. After two years, they relocated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where McLaughlin finished high school...
penned drama The Noose
The Noose (play)
The Noose is a play written by Willard Mack. It was later adapted as the film The Noose.The play opened on Broadway the night of October 20, 1926 at the Hudson Theatre. It is perhaps best known today for introducing the previously unknown Barbara Stanwyck. It also featured actors Rex Cherryman and...
, which ran from 1926 through 1927. While performing in the The Noose, Cherryman had an affair with fellow cast member Stanwyck. The Noose would subsequently become one of the biggest hits of the season and help launch Stanwyck's career. Cherryman's last stint on Broadway was a starring role in the 1927 dramatic production of The Trial of Mary Dugan opposite actor Robert Cummings
Robert Cummings
Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings , mostly known professionally as Robert Cummings but sometimes as Bob Cummings, was an American film and television actor....
at the National Theatre.
In August 1928, while sailing to France to read for a play in Paris, Cherryman contracted septic poisoning
Sepsis
Sepsis is a potentially deadly medical condition that is characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state and the presence of a known or suspected infection. The body may develop this inflammatory response by the immune system to microbes in the blood, urine, lungs, skin, or other tissues...
and died in Le Havre, France at the age of 31. His body was returned to Hollywood. His cremated remains are at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
Forest Lawn Memorial Park is a privately owned cemetery in Glendale, California. It is the original location of Forest Lawn, a chain of cemeteries in Southern California. The land was formerly part of Providencia Ranch.-History:...
, California. Esther's remains are in the same vault.