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Buster Keaton Biography (1895-1966)

Original name, Joseph Francis Keaton VI; born October 4, 1895, in Piqua, KS;died of lung cancer, February 1, 1966, in Los Angeles, CA; son of Joe (an entertainer) and Myra (an entertainer) Keaton; brother of Harry Keaton (an actor) and Louise Keaton (an actress); married Natalie Talmadge, 1921 (divorced, 1932); married Mae Scribbens, 1933 (divorced, 1936); married Eleanor Norris, 1940; children: (first marriage) two sons, including Joe (an actor; later known variously as James Talmadge, James Keaton, and Buster Keaton Jr.).

The biographical film The Buster Keaton Story was released by Paramount in 1957.

Nationality

American

Gender

Male

Birth Details

October 4, 1895

Piqua, Kansas, United States

Death Details

February 1, 1966

Los Angeles, California, United States

Famous Works

• Credits; Film Appearances; Silent Short Films
• The Butcher Boy, Paramount, 1917.
• Coney Island (also known as Fatty at Coney Island), Paramount, 1917.
• A Country Hero, Paramount, 1917.
• His Wedding Night, Paramount, 1917.
• Oh Doctor!, Paramount, 1917.
• A Reckless Romeo, Paramount, 1917.
• The Rough House, Paramount, 1917.
• Title role, The Bell Boy, Paramount, 1918.
• Assistant chef, The Cook, Paramount, 1918.
• Woman with umbrella, Good Night, Nurse!, Paramount, 1918.
• Revenue agent, Moonshine, Paramount, 1918.
• Gambler, Out West (also known as The Sheriff), Paramount, 1918.
• Stagehand, Back Stage, Paramount, 1919.
• Mechanic and firefighter, The Garage (also known as Fire Chief), Paramount, 1919.
• General store manager, The Hayseed, Paramount, 1919.
• Golfer-turned-prisoner and guard, Convict 13, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• Neighbors, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• Man, One Week, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• Dabb's assistant, Forever and a Day, RKO, 1920.
• Bertie "The Lamb" Van Alstyne, The Saphead, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• Farmhand, The Scarecrow, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• The Boat, First National, 1921.
• The Goat, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• Hard Luck, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The Haunted House, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The High Sign, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The Paleface, First National, 1921.
• The Playhouse, First National, 1921.
• Skirts (live action and animated), Fox Film Corporation, 1921.
• Blacksmith's assistant, The Blacksmith, First National, 1922.
• The young man, Cops, First National, 1922.
• Daydreams, First National, 1922.
• The Electric House, First National, 1922.
• The Frozen North, First National, 1922.
• My Wife's Relations, First National, 1922.
• The Balloonatic, Associated, 1923.
• Elmer, The Love Nest, Associated, 1923.
• Willie McKay, Our Hospitality, Metro Pictures, 1923.
• Credits; Film Work; Director, Unless Otherwise Indicated; Silent ShortFilms
• Stunt performer, A Desert Hero, Paramount, 1919.
• Convict 13, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• Neighbors, Metro Pictures, 1920; and editor, One Week, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• The Scarecrow, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• The Boat, First National, 1921.
• The Goat, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• Hard Luck, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The Haunted House, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The High Sign, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The Paleface, First National, 1921.
• The Playhouse, First National, 1921.
• The Blacksmith, First National, 1922; and editor, Cops, First National, 1922.
• Daydreams, First National, 1922.
• The Electric House, First National, 1922.
• The Frozen North, First National, 1922.
• My Wife's Relations, First National, 1922.
• The Balloonatic, Associated, 1923.
• The Love Nest, Associated, 1923.
• Our Hospitality, Metro Pictures, 1923.
• Credits; Film Appearances; Silent Full-Length Films
• The boy, The Three Ages, Metro Pictures, 1923.
• Rollo Treadway, The Navigator, Metro-Goldwyn, 1924.
• Operator, Sherlock Jr., Metro Pictures, 1924.
• Jimmie Shannon, Seven Chances, Metro-Goldwyn, 1925.
• Friendless, Go West, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1925.
• Alfred Butler, Battling Butler, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1926.
• Ronald, College, United Artists, 1927.
• Johnnie Gray, The General, United Artists, 1927.
• Buster, The Cameraman, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1928.
• William Canfield Jr., Steamboat Bill Jr., United Artists, 1928.
• Credits; Film Work; Director, Unless Otherwise Noted; Silent Full-Length Films
• The Three Ages, Metro Pictures, 1923; and editor, The Navigator, Metro-Goldwyn, 1924; and editor, Sherlock Jr., Metro Pictures, 1924; and editor, Seven Chances, Metro-Goldwyn, 1925.
• Go West, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1925.
• Battling Butler, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1926; and editor, The General, United Artists, 1927.
• Producer, The Cameraman, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1928.
• Credits; Film Appearances; Short Films with Sound
• Allez Oop, Educational, 1934.
• The Gold Ghost, Educational, 1934.
• Hayseed Romance, Educational, 1935.
• One Run Elmer, Educational, 1935.
• Tars and Stripes, Educational, 1935.
• Blue Blazes, Educational, 1936.
• The Chemist, Educational, 1936.
• Grand Slam Opera, Educational, 1936.
• Mixed Magic, Educational, 1936.
• Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs, 1936.
• Three on a Limb, Educational, 1936.
• Ditto, Educational, 1937.
• Jail Bait, Educational, 1937.
• Love Nest on Wheels, Educational, 1937.
• The Spook Speaks, Columbia, 1940.
• The Taming of the Snood, Columbia, 1940.
• The Railrodder (also known as The Railroader), National Film Board of Canada, 1965.
• The man, Film (also known as Samuel Beckett's Film), 1966.
• Credits; Film Work; Director; Short Films with Sound
• Allez Oop, Educational, 1934.
• The Gold Ghost, Educational, 1934.
• One Run Elmer, Educational, 1935.
• Tars and Stripes, Educational, 1935.
• Blue Blazes, Educational, 1936.
• The Chemist, Educational, 1936.
• Grand Slam Opera, Educational, 1936.
• Mixed Magic, Educational, 1936.
• Love Nest on Wheels, Educational, 1937.
• Hollywood Handicap, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.
• Streamlined Swing, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.
• Credits; Film Appearances; Full-Length Films with Sound
• The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (also known as The Hollywood Revue), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1929.
• Elmer, Spite Marriage, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1929.
• Elmer, Doughboys (also known as The Big Shot, Dough Boys, and Forward March), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1930.
• Elmer Butts, Free and Easy (also known as Easy Go), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,1930.
• Reginald Irving, Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath (also known as Romeo in Pyjamas, Buster se Marie, and Casanova wider Willen), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1931.
• Harmon, Sidewalks of New York, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1931.
• Police officer, The Slippery Pearls (also known as The Stolen Jools), Warner Bros., 1931.
• Elmer Tuttle, The Passionate Plumber, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1932.
• Professor Post, Speak Easily, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1932.
• Elmer J. Butts, What! No Beer?, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1934.
• Le Roi des Champs-Elysees, Nero Films, 1934.
• The E-Flat Man, 1935.
• Palooka from Paducah, 1935.
• The Timid Young Man, 1935.
• Leander Proudfoot, The Invader (also known as An Old Spanish Custom), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1936.
• Himself, Hollywood Handicap, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1938.
• Himself, Hollywood Cavalcade, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1939.
• Moochin' through Georgia, Columbia, 1939.
• Nothing but Pleasure, Columbia, 1939.
• Pest from the West, Columbia, 1939.
• His Ex Marks the Spot, 1940.
• Prisoner LuLu, New Moon, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940.
• Lonesome Polecat, Li'l Abner (also known as Trouble Chaser), RKO, 1940.
• Pardon My Berth Marks, 1940.
• William, The Villain Still Pursued Her, RKO, 1940.
• So You Won't Squawk, 1941.
• Plumber's helper, Forever and a Day, RKO, 1943.
• Bus driver, San Diego, I Love You, Universal, 1944.
• Son, Two Girls and a Sailor, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944.
• Sam (a short order cook), That Night with You, Universal, 1945.
• L. M., That's the Spirit, Universal, 1945.
• Bellboy, She Went to the Races, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1945.
• Boom in the Moon (also known as A Modern Bluebeard and El Moderno Barba Azul), [Mexico], 1946.
• God's Country, Screen Guild, 1946.
• Hickey, In the Good Old Summertime, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1949.
• Goulard, The Lovable Cheat, Film Classics, 1949.
• Butler, You're My Everything, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1949.
• Himself, Sunset Boulevard (also known as Sunset Blvd.), Paramount, 1950.
• Piano accompanist, Limelight, United Artists, 1952.
• L'Incantevole Nemica (also known as Pattes de Velours), Orso Film/LamborFilm, 1953.
• Conductor, Around the World in 80 Days, United Artists, 1956.
• Lion tamer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (also known as HuckleberryFinn), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1960.
• The Great Chase (documentary), 1963.
• Jimmy the Crook, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, United Artists, 1963.
• Chief Rotten Eagle, Pajama Party (also known as The Maid and the Martian), American International Pictures, 1964.
• Himself, Beach Blanket Bingo, American International Pictures, 1965.
• Buster Keaton Rides Again, 1965.
• Bwana, How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, American International Pictures, 1965.
• Private Blinken, Sergeant Deadhead (also known as Sergeant Deadhead, theAstronaut), American International Pictures, 1965.
• Erronius, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, United Artists,1966.
• General Von Kassler, Due Marines e un Generale (also known as Two Marinesand a General and War Italian Style), American International Pictures, 1967.
• Performer in archival footage, Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (documentary), 1987.
• Performer in archival footage, That's Entertainment! Part III (also knownas That's Entertainment! III), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1994.
• Credits; Film Work; Full-Length Films with Sound
• Producer, Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath (also known as Romeo in Pyjamas, Buster se Marie, and Casanova wider Willen), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1931.
• Director, Easy to Wed, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946.
• Stunt performer, A Southern Yankee (also known as My Hero), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948.
• Director, In the Good Old Summertime, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1949.
• Director, Excuse My Dust, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1951.
• Credits; Television Appearances; Series
• The Buster Keaton Show (also known as Life with Buster Keaton), syndicated, 1951.
• Credits; Television Appearances; Specials
• The Man Who Bought Paradise, CBS, 1965.
• Credits; Television Appearances; Episodic
• Himself, What's My Line?, CBS, 1951.
• "The Awakening," Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents, NBC, 1954.
• Dr. Bradley, "The Man Who Came to Dinner," The Best of Broadway, CBS, 1954.
• The Eddie Cantor Comedy Theatre, ABC, 1955.
• "The Silent Partner," Screen Directors Playhouse, NBC, 1955.
• "The Lord Don't Play Favorites," Producers' Showcase, NBC, 1956.
• "No Time at All," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1958.
• "The Innocent Sleep," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1958.
• "A Very Merry Christmas," The Donna Reed Show, ABC, 1958.
• "After Hours," Sunday Showcase, NBC, 1960.
• Woodrow Mulligan, "Once upon a Time," The Twilight Zone, CBS, 1961.
• "Journey to Nineveh," Route 66, CBS, 1962.
• "Think Mink," Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, ABC, 1963.
• "You're All Right, Ivy," The Greatest Show on Earth, ABC, 1964.
• Himself, "Who Killed One Half of Glory Lee?" Burke's Law, ABC, 1964.
• "Now You See It, Now You Don't," The Donna Reed Show, ABC, 1965.
• Also appeared as a performer in archival footage, Biography, Arts and Entertainment.
• Credits; Stage Appearances; Major Tours
• King, Once upon a Mattress, U.S. cities, 1960-61.
• Also appeared in other stage and vaudeville productions.
• Credits; Videos
• The Art of Buster Keaton, (ten-volume set), Kino, 1995.
• Writings;Screenplays; Short Silent Films
• Convict 13, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• Neighbors, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• One Week, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• The Scarecrow, Metro Pictures, 1920.
• The Boat, First National, 1921.
• The Goat, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• Hard Luck, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The Haunted House, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The High Sign, Metro Pictures, 1921.
• The Paleface, First National, 1921.
• The Playhouse, First National, 1921.
• The Blacksmith, First National, 1922.
• Cops, First National, 1922.
• Daydreams, First National, 1922.
• The Electric House, First National, 1922.
• The Frozen North, First National, 1922.
• My Wife's Relations, First National, 1922.
• The Balloonatic, Associated, 1923.
• The Love Nest, Associated, 1923.
• Writings;Screenplays; Full-Length Silent Films
• The General, United Artists, 1927.
• Writings;Screenplays; Full-Length Films with Sound
• (With others) A Night at the Opera, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935.
• (With others) Go West (also known as The Marx Brothers Go West), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940.
• (With others) Tales of Manhattan (also known as Stars over Manhattan), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1942.
• She Went to the Races, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1945.
• Easy to Wed, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946.
• (With others) In the Good Old Summertime, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1949.
• Excuse My Dust, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1951.
• Writings;Storywriter for Films
• Go West, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1925.
• Quick Millions, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1939.
• The Jones Family in Hollywood, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1939.
• Writings;Memoirs
• My Wonderful World of Slapstick, Doubleday, 1960.

Further Reference

Periodicals:

• Film Comment, September-October, 1995, p. 20.
• Time, October 9, 1995, p. 81.