Jack Pickford

Jack Pickford, born John Charles Smith, Jr. ( born August 18, 1896 in Toledo, Canada, † January 3, 1933 in Paris, France) was a Canadian actor. He was a brother of silent film star Mary Pickford.

Career

Jack Pickford followed his older sister Mary Pickford already in childhood on the stage and quickly became a popular performer of romantic lovers. 1910 got him his sister a contract with the film company Biograph and 1917 Mary Pickford acted in the course of their multi-million dollar contract with First National also a lucrative contract for her brother. In the period following the presentation by Jack became somewhat naive but lovable men in a series of comedies to a star. Among his most famous films included a film adaptation of Tom Sawyer in 1917, and Waking Up the Town of 1925, in which some hair-raising stunts can be seen with a bear. In the same year he had next to Constance Bennett in The Goose Woman, directed by Clarence Brown 's last great success.

In some of his films Pickford led himself directing. He also the status of a co- director was also granted in many success of his sister Mary, as in Little Lord Fauntleroy and Through the Back Door, both released in 1921.

The alcohol addiction prevented Jack Pickford made ​​the jump to the talkies, and in 1928 he retired completely from show business back.

Private life

Jack Pickford in 1920 involved the reputation of a playboy and was in the spectacular death of his wife, the silent film star Olive Thomas, are said to have played a significant role in drug abuse and binge drinking. The couple had met in 1916 and lived since his marriage a turbulent marriage. Jack Pickford married twice more. Both wives, including the dancer Marilyn Miller, were also Ziegfeld Girls. On January 3, 1933 Jack Pickford died at the age of 36 years in the American Hospital in Paris. The cause of death progressive neuritis of the central cranial nerves was specified.

Mary Pickford organized the transfer of his remains back to the United States, where he was buried in the family grave of Pickfords in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale.

Today, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1523 Vine Street to Jack Pickford.