Chester Conklin
Biography
Chester Conklin was an early American film comedian who began his career as one of Mack Sennett's Keystone Cops. Born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, he developed an interest in theater that led him to vaudeville, stock companies, and minstrel shows before he joined Keystone Studios in 1913. There he often paired with Mack Swain, and the two became famous for their Ambrose and Walrus characters. Conklin also worked closely with Charlie Chaplin, appearing in more than a dozen films together, and later appeared in Chaplin's Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940). He had a significant role in Erich von Stroheim's Greed (1924), though his part was cut, and he acted alongside W.C. Fields in the late 1920s and early 1930s. After moving into talkies, he took smaller parts in shorts and was part of Preston Sturges' stock company. His final film appearance was in A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966).
85years old at death
- Born Oskaloosa
- Died Van Nuys
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
- Also credited as Chester Cooper Conklin
Movie Career
- Films
- 23
- Career span
- 52 years1914 to 1966
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Getting ready for a role
Conklin developed his signature walrus-mustache character based on a former boss with a thick accent and bushy mustache, which helped him break into vaudeville.
A change of course
In 1920, Sennett would not talk about renewing Conklin's contract and sent him to an underling instead, so Conklin quit and joined Fox Film Corporation, which had already approached him about a series of comedy shorts.
A change of course
In the 1950s Conklin's career reached its lowest point, and to get by he found a job playing Santa Claus at a department store.
Chester Conklin movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Charles Chaplin directed four of these films, Preston Sturges three. Two actors appear in four of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Charles Chaplin's page
Al Bridge's page
Bess Flowers's page
William Demarest's page
Jimmy Conlin's page
Nora Cecil's page
Preston SturgesDirector, 3 films, 1942 to 1944
All films by Preston Sturges
Also three films together2 more actors
- Hank MannThe Great Dictator (1940), Modern Times (1936) and The Face on the Barroom Floor (1914)
- Eddie HallDelightfully Dangerous (1945), Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) and The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What Chester Conklin's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$17.2 million
5 of the 23 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 23 films: 5 worldwide figure; 2 us gross only; 16 figure not found.
- 5Worldwide figure
- 2US gross only
- 16Figure not found
Highest grossing
The five biggest films earned 100% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$11M64.0% of the total
- 2$2.1M12.2% of the total
- 3$2.0M11.6% of the total
- 4$1.8M10.5% of the total
- 5$275K1.6% of the total
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.