George Kuwa | |
---|---|
![]() Kuwa with Jackie Coogan in the 1923 film Daddy | |
Born | Keiichi Kuwahara 7 April 1885 Hiroshima, Japan |
Died | 13 October 1931 46) Los Angeles, California, US | (aged
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1916–1931 |
George Kuwa (born Keichii Kuwahara) was a Japanese and American Issei (Japanese immigrant) film actor of the silent era. He appeared in more than 50 films between 1916 and 1931. He was the first actor to portray Charlie Chan on-screen in the 1926 film serial The House Without a Key . [1]
According to contemporaneous reports, Kuwa was born in Hiroshima, Japan on 7 April 1885. His father was a judge and wanted George to follow suit. [2] [3]
Kuwa moved to the U.S. around 1916 or 1917 and began a career in Hollywood. Like many Japanese actors of the era, he often played Chinese characters. He made several films in Japan as well before returning to the U.S.
He died in Los Angeles on 13 October, 1931 at the age of 46. [4]
Wesley Ruggles was an American film director.
Henry Arthur Barrows was an American actor who appeared in films from 1913 to 1936.
George Fitzmaurice was a French-born film director and producer.
Virginia Valli was an American stage and film actress whose motion picture career started in the silent film era and lasted until the beginning of the sound film era of the 1930s.
Walter Hiers was an American silent film actor.
Joseph W. Girard was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 280 films between 1911 and 1944. He was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.
William V. Mong was an American film actor, screenwriter and director. He appeared in almost 200 films between 1910 and 1939. His directing (1911–1918) and screenwriting (1911–1922) were mostly for short films.
Robert P. Kerr was an American film director, actor and screenwriter. He directed more than 40 films between 1917 and 1928. He was born in Burlington, Colorado and died in Porterville, California from a heart attack.
Harry Todd was an American actor.
J. Barney Sherry was an American actor of the silent film era. He appeared in more than 210 films between 1905 and 1929. He was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from cardiovascular disease.
Harvey Thornton Clark was an American actor on stage and screen. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1915 and 1938. He was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and died in Hollywood, California, from a heart attack.
Tom Wilson was an American film actor.
George Hackathorne was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in more than 50 films between 1916 and 1939.
Lloyd Whitlock was a prolific American actor who began working during Hollywood's silent era. Born in 1891, he appeared in nearly 200 films between 1916 and 1949. Distinguished by his height and stature, he became especially known for playing heavies in B-movie westerns.
Alec B. Francis was an English actor, largely of the silent era. He appeared in more than 240 films between 1911 and 1934.
George Fawcett was an American stage and film actor of the silent era.
Harry Northrup, was an American film actor of the silent era. He appeared in more than 130 films between 1911 and 1935. He was born in Paris and died in Douala, Cameroon.
William Welsh was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 153 films between 1912 and 1936. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died in Los Angeles, California at age 76.
Henry Vibart was a Scottish stage and film actor, active from the 1880s until the early 1930s. He appeared in many theatrical roles in the UK and overseas, and featured in over 70 films of the silent era.
Nigel Barrie was an Indian-born British actor.