Ben Turpin

Biography

Ben Turpin was an American comedian and actor who became one of the most popular comics of the silent era, known for his crossed eyes and rough physical slapstick. Born in New Orleans, he worked in vaudeville, burlesque and circuses before joining Essanay Studios in Chicago, where he began appearing in films in 1907 and, in Mr. Flip in 1909, took what was called the first filmed pie in the face. Charlie Chaplin made him his second banana at Essanay in 1915, and two years later he joined Mack Sennett, who often cast him against type. He retired when talking pictures arrived in 1929, though he returned for cameos, including Million Dollar Legs (1932) and, as a punchline, Laurel and Hardy's Saps at Sea (1940).

70years old at death

Born September 19, 1869New Orleans
Died July 1, 1940Santa Monica
Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
Bernard Turpin (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 6
Career span: 42 years1915 to 1957

Genres

Comedy100%, 6 films
Documentary17%, 1 film
Romance17%, 1 film
Sport17%, 1 film

First and latest

Photos

Did you know?!

First role
Turpin was working as a carpenter and janitor at Essanay Studios in Chicago when he was discovered for film, first appearing on screen there in 1907 in small parts and comic bits.
Own stunts
Ben Turpin had a specialty he named the "hundred an' eight": an interrupted forward somersault that started with a leg kicked upward, then a 180 degree turn to land seated or flat on the back.

Ben Turpin movies on Netflix

The Golden Age of Comedy1957IMDb rating 7.1as Rodney St. Clair
Saps at Sea1940IMDb rating 7.1as Cross-Eyed Plumber
Million Dollar Legs1932IMDb rating 6.8as Mysterious Man
The Love Parade1929IMDb rating 6.9as Cross-Eyed Lackey
His New Job1915IMDb rating 6.0as Film Extra, in Anteroom
The Champion1915IMDb rating 6.7as Ringside vendor

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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His New Job1915 Comedyas Film Extra, in Anteroom
IMDb rating 6.02.2K votes
Saps at Sea1940 Comedyas Cross-Eyed Plumber
IMDb rating 7.13.4K votes
Million Dollar Legs1932as Mysterious Man
IMDb rating 6.81.6K votes
The Champion1915as Ringside vendor
IMDb rating 6.73.1K votes
The Love Parade1929as Cross-Eyed Lackey
IMDb rating 6.93.0K votes
The Golden Age of Comedy1957as Rodney St. Clair
IMDb rating 7.1520 votes

Most often with

Charles Chaplin directed two of these films. Six actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Charles Chaplin

Oliver Hardy

Stan Laurel

Jean Harlow

Andy Clyde

Leo White

Charles ChaplinDirector, 2 films

Films together

Charles Chaplin2 films together, 1915
Charles Chaplin's page
- His New Job1915IMDb rating 6.0Turpin as Film Extra, in AnteroomChaplin as Film Extra
- The Champion1915IMDb rating 6.7Turpin as Ringside vendorChaplin as Challenger
Oliver Hardy2 films together, 1940 to 1957
Oliver Hardy's page
- The Golden Age of Comedy1957IMDb rating 7.1Turpin as Rodney St. ClairHardy as Ollie(Hardy)
- Saps at Sea1940IMDb rating 7.1Turpin as Cross-Eyed PlumberHardy as Ollie
Stan Laurel2 films together, 1940 to 1957
Stan Laurel's page
- The Golden Age of Comedy1957IMDb rating 7.1Turpin as Rodney St. ClairLaurel as Stan(Laurel)
- Saps at Sea1940IMDb rating 7.1Turpin as Cross-Eyed PlumberLaurel as Stan
Jean Harlow2 films together, 1929 to 1957
Jean Harlow's page
- The Golden Age of Comedy1957IMDb rating 7.1Turpin as Rodney St. ClairHarlow as archive footage
- The Love Parade1929IMDb rating 6.9Turpin as Cross-Eyed LackeyHarlow as Woman in Opera Box
Andy Clyde2 films together, 1932 to 1957
Andy Clyde's page
- The Golden Age of Comedy1957IMDb rating 7.1Turpin as Rodney St. ClairClyde as Andy
- Million Dollar Legs1932IMDb rating 6.8Turpin as Mysterious ManClyde as The Major-Domo
Leo White2 films together, 1915
Leo White's page
- His New Job1915IMDb rating 6.0Turpin as Film Extra, in AnteroomWhite as Actor, Hussar Officer
- The Champion1915IMDb rating 6.7Turpin as Ringside vendorWhite as Crooked gambler
Charles ChaplinDirector, 2 films, 1915
All films by Charles Chaplin
- His New Job1915IMDb rating 6.0Turpin as Film Extra, in Anteroom
- The Champion1915IMDb rating 6.7Turpin as Ringside vendor

Awards

One award and honor.

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Ben Turpin's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Other honors
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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