Dustin Farnum

Farnum, Dustin (1874–1929), actor. The popular matinee idol was born in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, and took part in amateur theatricals in Maine before turning professional in 1897. Although he appeared briefly in New York in A War Correspondent (1898), A Romance of Athlone (1899), and Marcelle (1900), his first years were occupied largely with touring and playing in stock. Farnum won major recognition as Lieutenant Denton in Arizona (1901), playing the role for several seasons, then scored an even greater success as the rugged but chivalrous cowboy The Virginian (1904). Farnum also shone as the fighting Captain Esmond in The Ranger (1907), the reformed train robber Rev. Prince in The Rector's Garden (1908), gambler Eugene Kirby in Cameo Kirby (1909), and the Yankee Lt. Colonel Morrison in The Littlest Rebel (1911). One unidentified critic wrote of him, “There is no more ingratiating and charming personality on our stage . . . and in roles of the romantic hero type there is no other man who acts half as well.” After appearing in a 1913 revival of Arizona, he devoted the rest of his career to films, frequently in cowboy roles. Although his brother, William FARNUM (1876–1953) was never quite as popular on stage as Dustin, he too became a celebrated matinee idol. He was born in Boston and made his debut in 1890 in Richmond, Virginia, as Lucius in Julius Caesar. A decade of touring, with occasional New York engagements, passed before he won attention when he replaced Edward Morgan in the title role of Ben‐Hur in 1900. His notable roles include Prince Mohammed in The Prince of India (1906), the tragic Capt. Severi in The White Sister (1909), and the title role in a revival of Ingomar. The two brothers performed together in The Littlest Rebel (1911) and Arizona (1913). Although William also turned to films, he made occasional New York appearances, most notably as Banquo in a 1928 revival of Macbeth. His last appearance was as Inspector Bill Regan in Headquarters (1929).

• Born: May 27, 1874 in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
• Died: 1929
• Occupation: Actor, Director
• Active: teens-'20s
• Major Genres: Western, Drama
• Career Highlights: Grail, The Flaming Frontier, My Man
• First Major Screen Credit: When We Were Young (1914)

Biography

New Hampshire-born cowboy-actor Dustin Farnum was the older brother of popular actor William Farnum. Dustin got his start performing on stage at age 15. He appeared in his first films in 1913, but didn't become famous until he starred in Cecil B. De Mille's directorial debut The Squaw Man (1914). Though he played more than cowboys in subsequent films, it was as a saddle tramp that he is best remembered. He continued starring in films through 1926 when his career finally ended. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

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