Percy Challenger

Percy Challenger (September 3, 1858 – July 23, 1932)[1] was a film and theater actor in the United States. He appeared in dozens of films.

He was born in England.[1] He acted in and managed the eastern tour of Virginia Drew Prescott (Melbourne MacDowell)'s playlet Man of the People.[2]

Challenger was a vaudeville actor. A 1911 performance in Chicago was reviewed by The Billboard, reading, "Percy Challenger, an English entertainer, was first on the program, and although his act was rather odd, it seemed to take very well. Mr. Challenger's work as an elocutionist was very good".[3]

He won plaudits as a supporting actor in films.[4] His performance in Flames of Chance (1918) was received as "clever" in a review in Variety.[5] Variety reviewed his performance in Trumpet (1920) positively, noting, "Percy Challenger comes in for a bit in the role of Valinsky, a dunk-investor. The detail with which he dresses the character is striking. He also contributed valuable assistance..."[6]

He continued his theatre involvement during his time in California. He was involved with Marion Warde Dramatic School in Los Angeles.[7] He performed humorous monologues and pianologues at the opening of the Alhambra Community Theatre in November 1924.[8]

Several months before he died, Challenger performed as various Dickens characters in La Canada, California.[9] He died on July 23, 1932, in Los Angeles, California.[10][1]

  1. ^ a b c Vazzana, Eugene Michael (2001). Silent film necrology (2 ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. p. 85. ISBN 0-7864-1059-0. OCLC 46822379.
  2. ^ "The New York Dramatic Mirror". 1909.
  3. ^ "The Vaudeville Week in Chicago: The Bill at the Clark Theatre." The Billboard. Vol. 23, Iss. 9, (Mar 4, 1911): 9, 57. Via Proquest.
  4. ^ "Temple's New Show: Two Well-Known Stars to Head Company in Sketch". Fort Wayne Daily News. October 9, 1909. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Moving Pictures: Flames of Chance." Variety. Vol. 49, Iss. 8, (Jan 18, 1918): 41. Via Proquest.
  6. ^ "Pictures: Trumpet Island." Variety. Vol. 60, Iss. 9, (Oct 22, 1920): 41. Via Proquest.
  7. ^ "Echoes of Music Activity Here." Los Angeles Times 1 June 1924: 37. Via Proquest.
  8. ^ "Glendale Ball Park in Ruins." Los Angeles Times. 01 Dec 1924: A8. Via Proquest.
  9. ^ "Screen Actor Is Scheduled". The Pasadena Post. 1932-04-07. p. 6. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  10. ^ "Obituary for Percy Challenger". The Los Angeles Times. 1932-07-31. p. 24. Retrieved 2021-02-20.