Lucius Henderson

Lucius Junius Henderson (June 8, 1861 – February 18, 1947) was an American silent film director and actor of the early silent period involved in more than 70 film productions. Born in Aledo, Illinois, Henderson was a classically trained musician who later attended Harvard College. He began stage-acting in the early-1880s and later supported both Mesdames Modjeska and Janauschek in repertory.

He entered film with the Thanhouser Company in late 1910, functioning as chiefly a director. In the autumn of 1913, Henderson led the Thanhouser company of players to Los Angeles. But while the unit quickly returned to New Rochelle, New York, Henderson remained behind to direct for Majestic and the Long Beach-located California Motion Picture Company. He was working for Universal Studios by 1915 and later claimed to have been the first to recognize the potential of Rudolph Valentino. Henderson directed 73 films before his retirement from directing at the end of 1917.

However, in 1923 he resurrected his interest in movies and rekindled his abilities as an actor, starring in a number of films in the mid-1920s.

The veteran actor/director turned to radio work after the changeover to sound. The oldest living member of the Lamb's Club, Henderson was honored with a testimonial dinner in 1942.

He died at his home on 335 West 43rd Street in New York City in 1947.