Joseph J. Dowling

Joseph J. Dowling

Dowling in a scene from the lost film The Miracle Man.
Born Joseph Johnson Dowling
(1850-09-04)September 4, 1850
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died July 8, 1928(1928-07-08) (aged 77)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Nationality American
Occupation Actor
Years active 1913–1928
Spouse(s) Sarah Ann Hassen (m. 1882–93)
Myra L. Davis (m.?–1928)
Children 1

Joseph Johnson Dowling (September 4, 1850 – July 8, 1928) was an American stage and silent film actor.

Early life and career

Born in Pittsburgh, the son of James and Fredericka (nee Edstrem) Dowling. His father was a native of Pennsylvania while his mother immigrated from Sweden. He had two siblings, Laura and James, both of whom predeceased Dowling.[1]

Dowling began his career on the stage and in vaudeville before he made his film debut in 1913 in Sleuthing.[1][2] He later appeared in many films with Charles Ray (with whom he appeared in five other features) and William S. Hart. He is best remembered for playing the Patriarch, one of four main characters, in the now lost film The Miracle Man (1919). Dowling continued to appear in major Hollywood silent productions including Little Lord Fauntleroy (1921) with Mary Pickford, Quincy Adams Sawyer (1922) with Lon Chaney and Blanche Sweet, The Christian (1923) with Richard Dix and Mae Busch, One Night in Rome with Laurette Taylor and the Victor Fleming directed Lord Jim (1925).

Personal life

Dowling was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Sarah J. "Sadie" Hassen (neé Berry) born on May 29, 1853. The couple performed together in the play Nobody's Claim, which was written specifically for them by Edwin A. Locke. The play was a hit and the two traveled around the United States performing it. They eventually settled in Mount Clemens, Michigan in 1886. They had a son, Joseph F., in September 1890, and divorced in 1893.[1][3] He later married actress Myra L. Davis to whom he remained married until his death.

Death

Dowling died on July 8, 1928 in Hollywood. He was survived by his second wife, Myra, and his son from his first marriage.[4]

Selected filmography

References

  1. 1 2 3 Eldredge, Robert F. (1905). Past and Present Of Macomb County, Michigan. p. 524.
  2. ↑ Soister, John T. (2012). American Silent Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Feature Films, 1913–1929. McFarland. p. 398. ISBN 0-786-48790-9.
  3. ↑ Larsen, Deborah J. (2012). Legendary Locals of Mount Clemens: Michigan. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 79–80. ISBN 1-467-10012-9.
  4. ↑ "Joseph J. Dowling, Veteran Actor, Dies in California". Chicago Daily Tribune. July 9, 1928. p. 1.
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