Harry Langdon
Biography
Harry Langdon was an American comedian and actor whose greatest fame came during the silent era. A Council Bluffs, Iowa native, he spent his teens in medicine shows and stock companies before moving into vaudeville in 1906. He signed with Principal Pictures Corporation in 1923 and then joined Mack Sennett's studio, where he rose to stardom. Critics of the period counted him among the four leading comedians of silent film. His screen persona, a wide-eyed innocent, was matched by skilled pantomime. After success in shorts, he made features with Arthur Ripley and Frank Capra, including The Strong Man (1926), Long Pants (1927), and Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1926). Later he directed his own pictures, such as Heart Trouble, The Chaser, and Three's a Crowd, but his popularity fell. Sound proved difficult for his childlike character. He continued in shorts and features, including Zenobia (1939) opposite Oliver Hardy. His 1940 comeback, Misbehaving Husbands, earned praise from critics. He died in 1944.
60years old at death
- Born Council Bluffs
- Died Hollywood
- Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
- Also credited as Harry Philmore Langdon
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 31 years1926 to 1957
Every film, newest first
- 1957The Golden Age of ComedyIMDb rating 7.1
- 1939ZenobiaIMDb rating 6.0
- 1926Ella CindersIMDb rating 6.9
- 1926The Strong ManIMDb rating 6.5
Genres
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A role that slipped away
For Dopey in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Langdon was considered as the live-action role model, but Walt Disney turned the idea down, so Eddie Collins took the part.
Behind the camera
Langdon produced these features himself. His own company, The Harry Langdon Corporation, made them, and First National Pictures released them.
Behind the camera
While at the Hal Roach studio in 1938, Langdon wrote comedy scripts, notably for Laurel and Hardy, and was cast opposite Oliver Hardy in Zenobia.
Harry Langdon movies on Netflix
Worked with
Harry Langdon shares two films with Bess Flowers, 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
Bess Flowers's page
Oliver Hardy's page
Gertrude Astor's page
Brooks Benedict's page
J. Farrell MacDonald's page
Billy Bevan's page
All films by Alfred E. Green
All films by Frank Capra
All films by Gordon Douglas
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.