William Desmond (actor)

Not to be confused with William Desmond Taylor.

William Desmond
Desmond in 1915
Born
William Mannion

(1878-01-23)January 23, 1878
Salamanca, New York U.S.
DiedNovember 3, 1949(1949-11-03) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeChapel of the Pines Crematory
OccupationActor
Years active1915–1949
SpouseMary McIvor (m. 1919-1941)
Children2

William Desmond (born William Mannion; January 23, 1878 – November 3, 1949) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1915 and 1948. He was nicknamed "The King of the Silent Serials."

Born William Mannion[1] in Salamanca, New York on January 23 1878, he was raised in New York City. He later changed his surname to a stage name. He started out in vaudeville and the legitimate stage before making his film debut. In 1919, he married his co-star Mary McIvor, with whom he had two daughters. [2]

He portrayed a globetrotting hero, Phineas Fogg the 3rd, in a now lost film serial from the twenties.[3] With the coming of sound he gravitated to older, supporting roles.

On November 3, 1949, Desmond died at age 71 of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California. His cremated remains are stored in the vault at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory, Los Angeles.[4]

  1. ^ Room, Adrian (2012). Dictionary of Pseudonyms: 13,000 Assumed Names and Their Origins, 5th ed. McFarland. p. 143. ISBN 9780786457632. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  2. ^ A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses 1476609055 George A. Katchmer - 2002 -"William Desmond's biography can be read in its entirety in the author's book Eighty Silent Film Stars: Biographies and Filmographies from the Obscure to the ... In 1919, he married Mary McIvor, who bore him two daughters, Mary Jo and Terry.
  3. ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: Around the World in Eighteen Days". Silent Era. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  4. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 24. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved January 23, 2018.