Larry Semon

Larry Semon

Known for: Directing
Biography: 1889-02-09
Deathday: 1928-10-08 (39 years old)

Biography

American silent film comedian whose hugely successful career disappeared virtually overnight, Larry Semon was the son of a traveling vaudeville magician, Zera the Great. He grew up in show business and was trained in stage comedy and acrobatics. A talent for drawing and cartooning led to art school and then work as a cartoonist for various New York City newspapers. The humor evident in his published cartoons prompted executives at New York's Vitagraph Studios to hire him as a gag writer in 1916. He quickly proved himself and was promoted to director for the Hughie Mack series of comedies. His background in magic helped him create interesting new gags for the comedian. When Mack left the studio in 1917, Semon took over the starring role himself. His one-reelers were quite successful, and Vitagraph sent him to California to participate in its new West Coast operation. He produced as well as wrote, starred in and directed his own films, at the same time also producing films for other comics.


In the summer of 1928 Semon apparently fell ill with tuberculosis and simultaneously, it seems, suffered a nervous breakdown. He entered a sanitarium near San Bernardino, CA, where he reportedly died on October 8. However, an air of mystery surrounds his death, since his wife (and former co-star) Dorothy Dwan was allowed almost no contact with him and never saw his body, which was ordered cremated after a tightly secured funeral, which was carried out per Semon's "previous instructions" and to which almost no attendees were allowed. The whereabouts of Semon's cremated remains are to this day a mystery, and his widow professed until her death to be mystified by the circumstances of his passing. With enormous financial obligations facing him Larry Semon could easily have considered a dramatic escape of this sort from his creditors. Whether he did, or whether his death was the sad final chapter to a high-rising, briefly brilliant, but ultimately short-lived career may never be known for certain.

Filmography

all 79

Movies 79

Director 13

self 3

Writer 1

Producer 1

The Entertainer
Dummies

Dummies (1928)

Movie
Larry, the Chief's son
Her Boy Friend

Her Boy Friend (1924)

Movie
Larry, a Suitor / Director / Writer
Lightning Love

Lightning Love (1923)

Movie
Larry, a salesman
The Gown Shop

The Gown Shop (1923)

Movie
Lay Zee, Farm Hand
The Barnyard

The Barnyard (1923)

Movie
Larry, the Counter Jumper
The Counter Jumper

The Counter Jumper (1922)

Movie
Larry, the Fall Guy
The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy (1921)

Movie
Larry, a Bakery Clerk
The Bakery

The Bakery (1921)

Movie
Larry, the Rent Collector / Director / Writer / Producer
The Rent Collector

The Rent Collector (1921)

Movie
Larry, the Hick
The Hick

The Hick (1921)

Movie
Larry, the Detective / Director
Dew Drop Inn

Dew Drop Inn (1919)

Movie
Larry, a Detective
Dull Care

Dull Care (1919)

Movie
Larry, the Handy Man and a Drunkard
Between the Acts

Between the Acts (1919)

Movie
The House Detective
Passing the Buck

Passing the Buck (1919)

Movie
Larry, First Prisoner
Frauds and Frenzies

Frauds and Frenzies (1918)

Movie
Caesar / A Minstrel / Director / Writer / Scenario Writer
Romans and Rascals

Romans and Rascals (1918)

Movie
Larry SemonLarry SemonLarry Semon

Information

Known For
Directing

Gender
Male

Birthday
1889-02-09

Deathday
1928-10-08 (39 years old)

Birth Name
Lawrence Semon

Birth Place
West Point, United States

Relationships
Dorothy Dwan (1925 - 1928)

Citizenships
United States

Also Known As
Lawrence Semon, Ларри Симон, Lawrence "Larry" Semon

Awards
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

This article uses material from Wikipedia.

Last updated:

Frank Alexander
Larry Semon,
Frank Alexander worked together with Larry Semon in:
36 Movies
William Hauber
Larry Semon,
William Hauber worked together with Larry Semon in:
34 Movies
Oliver Hardy
Larry Semon,
Oliver Hardy worked together with Larry Semon in:
23 Movies
Lucille Carlisle
Larry Semon,
Lucille Carlisle worked together with Larry Semon in:
21 Movies
C. Graham Baker
Larry Semon,
C. Graham Baker worked together with Larry Semon in:
19 Movies
Al Thompson
Larry Semon,
Al Thompson worked together with Larry Semon in:
16 Movies
Albert E. Smith
Larry Semon,
Albert E. Smith worked together with Larry Semon in:
14 Movies
Spencer Bell
Larry Semon,
Spencer Bell worked together with Larry Semon in:
14 Movies
Norman Taurog
Larry Semon,
Norman Taurog worked together with Larry Semon in:
14 Movies
Hans F. Koenekamp
Larry Semon,
Hans F. Koenekamp worked together with Larry Semon in:
13 Movies
Pete Gordon
Larry Semon,
Pete Gordon worked together with Larry Semon in:
12 Movies
Eddie Dunn
Larry Semon,
Eddie Dunn worked together with Larry Semon in:
11 Movies
Joe Rock
Larry Semon,
Joe Rock worked together with Larry Semon in:
11 Movies
James Donnelly
Larry Semon,
James Donnelly worked together with Larry Semon in:
10 Movies
Earl Montgomery
Larry Semon,
Earl Montgomery worked together with Larry Semon in:
10 Movies
Hughie Mack
Larry Semon,
Hughie Mack worked together with Larry Semon in:
8 Movies
1 TV Show
Madge Kirby
Larry Semon,
Madge Kirby worked together with Larry Semon in:
9 Movies
Frank Hayes
Larry Semon,
Frank Hayes worked together with Larry Semon in:
9 Movies
Pietro Aramondo
Larry Semon,
Pietro Aramondo worked together with Larry Semon in:
9 Movies
Dorothy Dwan
Larry Semon,
Dorothy Dwan worked together with Larry Semon in:
7 Movies
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