Berton Churchill

Berton Churchill (December 9, 1876 - October 10, 1940) was a Canadian actor.

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Born in Toronto, Ontario. As a young man interested in the theater, he headed to New York City where he began an acting career that soon put him on the Broadway stage. There, he was one of the earliest members of Actors Equity and sat on the Council. In 1919 he was in charge of the New York headquarters during the Equity strike in which fellow Canadian and friend, actress Marie Dressler assumed a major part with him that led to her being blacklisted by the producers.

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With the advent of filmmaking in New York Berton Churchill appeared in several motion pictures, and in the 1920s, following the use of sound in film, he moved to Hollywood, California. There, his powerful stage voice and commanding presence landed him numerous supporting roles, usually as the stern or pompous character with such roles as a banker, a State Governor, or a land baron. Much in demand, in more than 125 films Churchill worked for some of the great directors such as Otto Preminger, John Ford, and Frank Capra. As well, he performed with many of the most famous stars of the day such as Bette Davis, Jeanette MacDonald, Tyrone Power, Edward G. Robinson, and Will Rogers. One of Churchill's better known roles was with John Wayne in John Ford's highly acclaimed 1939 film, "Stagecoach."

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In 1925, Berton Churchill helped found the Masquers club that led to him and five other actors creating the Screen Actors Guild in 1933.

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Berton Churchill died in New York City. His body was returned to the west coast to be interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

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See also: Other Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood

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December 9: December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 22 days remaining....

1876: 1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday....

October 10: October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). There are 82 days remaining....

Berton Churchill related Images and Photos (experimental)

Winston Churchill	Winston Churchill	Winstons War Churchill, 1940-1945 (Hardcover) Book	Sir Winston Churchill
Outsourced Winston Churchill Bobblehead	Winston Churchill British Statsman and Author	Winston Churchill British Statesman Rejoins the Conservative Party	John Churchill Duke of Marlborough after 1847
Winston Churchill Licking Roosevelt's Boots as the USA Enters the War	Winston Churchill British Statesman and Author as a Boer War Correspondent	Inukshuk Inuit Stone Landmark Churchill Hudson Bay Manitoba Canada	Ambassador Bill Marguerite Churchill Will Rogers Greta Nissen on Window Card 1931