Francis X. Bushman
Biography
Francis X. Bushman was an American film actor and director who ranked among the biggest stars of the silent era, attracting a large female following. Born in Baltimore, he built his physique at the Maryland Athletic Club before coming to pictures from the stage, making his screen debut in 1911 in His Friend's Wife. Essanay Studios in Chicago hired him that year, and he spent the next five years as its leading man in well over a hundred silent features. He played Messala in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925). Later he moved into radio, playing John Marshall on the serial Those We Love, and took small film parts, among them a business tycoon in Billy Wilder's Sabrina (1954). Television guest spots in the 1950s and 1960s followed, ending with a 1966 Batman episode. He received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960.
83years old at death
- Born Baltimore
- Died Pacific Palisades
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
- Francis Xavier Bushman (birth name)Also credited as Francis Bushman
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 41 years1925 to 1966
Share
Did you know?!
Big break
Reichenbach took Bushman from a railway station to meet studio executives, dropping pennies on the street as they went. People followed picking up the coins, and the crowd made the executives think Bushman was very popular, so they cast him as Messala.
Getting ready for a role
Bushman worried that taking a villain role would damage his career, so he sought advice from William S. Hart, who had spent years playing that part on stage. Hart urged him to accept, calling it the best part in the play.
A change of course
On the CBS Radio serial Those We Love, which aired from 1938 to 1945, Bushman played John Marshall and built his broadcasting reputation once his film career had waned.
Francis X. Bushman movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
Francis X. Bushman shares two films with Anthony Dexter, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Anthony Dexter's page
Richard Weber2 films together, 1960 to 1961
Richard Weber's page
Boris Karloff's page
Humphrey Bogart's page
Chet Brandenburg's page
Gregory Peck's page
All films by Billy Wilder
Charles BrabinDirector, 1 film, 1925
All films by Charles Brabin
All films by Christy Cabanne
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.