Richard Barthelmess
Biography
Richard Barthelmess was an American actor best known for the Hollywood silent era. Born in New York City, he was raised around the stage by his actress mother and gained stock company experience before entering films; his first screen appearance came as an uncredited extra in the 1916 serial Gloria's Romance. Alla Nazimova pushed him toward a professional career, and after War Brides he drew the notice of D. W. Griffith, who placed him opposite Lillian Gish in Broken Blossoms (1919) and Way Down East (1920). He helped found Inspiration Film Company, whose Tol'able David (1921) was a major hit, and the first Academy Awards brought him a Best Actor nomination for The Patent Leather Kid and The Noose. He stayed a star in the sound era with The Cabin in the Cotton (1932) and Heroes for Sale (1933), later took character parts such as Only Angels Have Wings (1939), and retired in 1942.
68years old at death
- Born New York City
- Died Southampton
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Also credited as Richard Semler Barthelmess
Movie Career
- Films
- 9
- Career span
- 40 years1919 to 1959
First and latest
Share
Did you know?!
Behind the camera
Barthelmess set up the Inspiration Film Company alongside Charles Duell and Henry King. In their 1921 film Tol'able David, he starred as a teenage mailman who discovers courage, and the movie was a major success.
Richard Barthelmess movies on Netflix
The Tingleras David Kinemon
The Mayor of 44th Streetas Ed Kirby
The Spoilersas Bronco Kid
Only Angels Have Wingsas Bat MacPherson
Heroes for Saleas Tom Holmes
The Cabin in the Cottonas Marvin Blake
Tol'able Davidas David Kinemon
Way Down Eastas David Bartlett
Broken Blossomsas Cheng Huan - The Yellow Man
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
D.W. Griffith directed two of these films. Five 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.






Films together
Berton Churchill2 films together, 1932 to 1933
Berton Churchill's page Heroes for Sale1933IMDb rating 7.3Barthelmess as Tom HolmesChurchill as Mr. Winston
The Cabin in the Cotton1932IMDb rating 6.6Barthelmess as Marvin BlakeChurchill as Lane Norwood
Russell Simpson2 films together, 1932 to 1942
Russell Simpson's page The Spoilers1942IMDb rating 6.7Barthelmess as Bronco KidSimpson as Flapjack
The Cabin in the Cotton1932IMDb rating 6.6Barthelmess as Marvin BlakeSimpson as Uncle Joe
Lillian Gish2 films together, 1919 to 1920
Lillian Gish's page Way Down East1920IMDb rating 7.3Barthelmess as David BartlettGish as Anna Moore
Broken Blossoms1919IMDb rating 7.2Barthelmess as Cheng Huan - The Yellow ManGish as Lucy - The Girl
Frank Austin2 films together, 1932 to 1942
Frank Austin's page The Spoilers1942IMDb rating 6.7Barthelmess as Bronco KidAustin as Townsman
The Cabin in the Cotton1932IMDb rating 6.6Barthelmess as Marvin BlakeAustin as Tenant Farmer
Ernest Torrence2 films together, 1921 to 1959
Ernest Torrence's page The Tingler1959IMDb rating 6.6Barthelmess as David KinemonTorrence as Luke Hatburn
Tol'able David1921IMDb rating 7.1Barthelmess as David KinemonTorrence as Luke Hatburn
D.W. GriffithDirector, 2 films, 1919 to 1920
All films by D.W. Griffith Way Down East1920IMDb rating 7.3Barthelmess as David Bartlett
Broken Blossoms1919IMDb rating 7.2Barthelmess as Cheng Huan - The Yellow Man
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


