
Wilfred Lucas
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1871-01-29
Day of Death
1940-12-13 (69 years old)
Place of Birth
Norfolk, Ontario, Canada
Wilfred Lucas
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wilfred Lucas (January 30, 1871 – December 13, 1940) was a Canadian-born American stage actor who found success in film as an actor, director, and screenwriter.
Wilfred Lucas made his Broadway debut in 1904, playing in both the The Blue Grass Handicap and The Superstition of Sue. Following his 1906 role in the highly successful play The Chorus Lady, he was recruited to the fledgling Biograph Studios by D. W. Griffith.
At the time, the film business was still looked down upon by many members of the theatrical community. In her 1925 book titled When the Movies Were Young, Griffith's wife, actress Linda Arvidson, told the story of the early days at Biograph Studios. In it, she referred to Lucas as the "first real grand actor, democratic enough to work in Biograph movies." In 1908 Lucas made his motion picture debut in Griffith's The Greaser's Gauntlet, appearing in more than 50 of these short (usually 17 minutes) films over the next two years.
In 1910 while still acting, he wrote the script for Griffith's film Sunshine Sue, which was followed by many more scripts by 1924. Lucas also began directing in 1912 with Griffith on An Outcast Among Outcasts, and directed another 44 films over the next 20 years.
In early 1916 he starred as John Carter in Acquitted, about which Photoplay wrote, "No single performance in the records of active photography has surpassed his visualization of the humble book-keeper in Acquitted." Later in 1916 he appeared in D.W. Griffith's film Intolerance.
Part of the group of Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood, Lucas became friends and sometimes starred with Mary Pickford, Sam De Grasse, and Marie Dressler. Canadian-born director Mack Sennett hired him to both direct and act in a large number of films at his Keystone Studios.
Lucas made the successful transition from silent film to sound. While working in Hollywood, in 1926 he returned to the stage, performing in several Broadway plays. He later appeared as a foil for Laurel and Hardy in their feature films Pardon Us and A Chump at Oxford.
During his long career, Wilfred Lucas appeared in more than 375 films. Although for a time he was cast in leading roles, he became very successful as secondary and minor characters, making a good living in the film industry for more than three decades.
Known For
Acting
(1968)
The Best of Laurel and Hardy
as The Warden (archive footage) (uncredited)
(1941)
(1940)
Santa Fe Trail
as Weiner (uncredited)
(1940)
Waterloo Bridge
as Elderly Huntsman at Estate Dance (uncredited)
(1940)
They Drive by Night
as Bailiff (uncredited)
(1940)
Virginia City
as Southerner (uncredited)
(1940)
Brother Orchid
as Brother MacDonald
(1940)
Edison, the Man
as Broker
(1940)
A Chump at Oxford
as Dean Williams
(1940)
Tear Gas Squad
as Policeman
(1940)
The Fighting 69th
as Eye Doctor (uncredited)
(1940)
A Dispatch from Reuters
as Board Member (uncredited)
(1940)
Triple Justice
as Constable Herb at Tule Mesa
(1940)
Legion of the Lawless
as East Ivestown Leader (uncredited)
(1940)
Women Without Names
as Roomer
(1940)
Women in Hiding
as Policeman (uncredited)
(1939)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
as Pompous Man (uncredited)
(1939)
Dodge City
as Bartender (uncredited)
(1939)
Raffles
as Bobby
(1939)
Zenobia
as Undetermined Role
(1939)
Each Dawn I Die
as Bailiff (uncredited)
(1939)
Almost a Gentleman
as Dog Show Director
(1939)
Women in the Wind
as Burbank Offical (uncredited)
(1939)
The Day the Bookies Wept
as Bill, Man Outside Racetrack (uncredited)
(1939)
Four Wives
as Stationmaster (uncredited)
(1939)
Nick Carter, Master Detective
as Police Detective Randall
(1939)
The Marshal Of Mesa City
as Marshal Andy Thompson (uncredited)
(1938)
Freshman Year
as Professor Ullrich
(1938)
Four Daughters
as Doctor (uncredited)
(1938)
The Baroness and the Butler
as Member of Parliament
(1938)
A Man to Remember
as Man at Hospital Dedication (uncredited)
(1938)
Over the Wall
as Cell Block Keeper
(1938)
Brother Rat
as Ballfield Doctor
(1938)
Breakdowns of 1938
as Race Judge (archive footage) (uncredited)
(1938)
The Daredevil Drivers
as Race Judge
(1938)
The Declaration of Independence
as John Dickinson (uncredited)
(1938)
Safety in Numbers
as Councilman
(1938)
Night Spot
as Police Lieutenant
(1938)
Down on the Farm
as Wheeler
(1937)
Marked Woman
as Jury Foreman #1 (uncredited)
(1937)
Navy Blue and Gold
as Ship's Captain (uncredited)
(1937)
Black Legion
as Bailiff (uncredited)
(1937)
The Westland Case
as Gun Dealer
(1937)
Empty Holsters
as John Ware
(1937)
She Loved a Fireman
as Fire Tug Captain
(1937)
Varsity Show
as Police Commissioner (uncredited)
(1937)
Varsity Show
as Police Commissioner
(1937)
The Man Without a Country
as Lincoln's Secretary (uncredited)
(1937)
We Who Are About to Die
as Prison Yard Captain (uncredited)
(1937)
Missing Witnesses
as Judge in Wagner Case (uncredited)
(1937)
Land Beyond the Law
as Jim Blake (uncredited)
(1937)
Criminal Lawyer
as Brandon's Assistant
(1937)
Prairie Thunder
as Nate Temple
(1937)
Hot Water
as Customer in Drugstore (uncredited)
(1937)
Idol of the Crowds
as Doctor (uncredited)
(1937)
Blazing Sixes
as Sheriff Tom
(1937)
Talent Scout
as Director of Screen Test (uncredited)
(1937)
Mile a Minute Love
as Drexel
(1937)
(1936)
Modern Times
as Juvenile Officer
(1936)
The Prisoner of Shark Island
as Testifying Colonel
(1936)
The Devil-Doll
as Off-Screen Voice (voice / uncredited)
(1936)
Beloved Enemy
as Doctor (Uncredited)
(1936)
The Country Doctor
as Proprietor (uncredited)
(1936)
Give Me Liberty
as His Excellency Permitting Henry's Arrest (uncredited)
(1936)
High Tension
as Businessman
(1936)
Human Cargo
as Police Chief
(1936)
Chatterbox
as Himself (uncredited)
(1936)
The Preview Murder Mystery
as Director (Uncredited)
(1936)
The White Angel
as Raglan Staff Officer (uncredited)
(1936)
Love on a Bet
as Man at Hutchinson's Meeting
(1936)
Midnight Blunders
as Professor Edwin Millstone (uncredited)
(1936)
California Mail
as Sheriff
(1935)
Les Misérables
as Onlooker
(1935)
Naughty Marietta
as Announcer (uncredited)
(1935)
The Arizonian
as Townsman with Mayor
(1935)
Chandu on the Magic Island
as Capt. Walker
(1935)
Kind Lady
as First Scotland Yard Man (uncredited)
(1935)
Stranded
as Pat, a Welfare Worker (uncredited)
(1935)
Frisco Kid
as First Policeman (uncredited)
(1935)
Show Them No Mercy!
as Druggist (uncredited)
(1935)
Vagabond Lady
as Dock Official (uncredited)
(1935)
Stormy
as Mack's Horse Trainer (uncredited)
(1935)
Angkor
as Wilfred Lucas, game hunter
(1935)
Rip Roaring Riley
as Chief Martin
(1934)
Cleopatra
as Roman Greeting Antony (uncredited)
(1934)
The Dragon Murder Case
as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
(1934)
The Return of Chandu
as Capt. Wilson [Chs. 4-12]
(1934)
One Night of Love
as Metropolitan Operagoer
(1934)
Love Time
as Dignitary (uncredited)
(1934)
The Moth
as John Gale
(1934)
Apples to You!
as Chairman of the Board
(1934)
Shrimps for a Day
as Mr. Wade
(1933)
The Sphinx
as Prosecuting Attorney
(1933)
The Mayor of Hell
as Bill (uncredited)
(1933)
The House on 56th Street
as Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)
(1933)
Midnight Mary
as Nightclub Bouncer (uncredited)
(1933)
(1933)
The Three Musketeers
as El Shaitan
(1933)
I Cover the Waterfront
as Randall
(1933)
The Intruder
as Mr. Wayne
(1933)
Mary Stevens, M.D.
as Andrews' Lawyer Barry (uncredited)
(1933)
The Big Cage
as Bob Mills
(1933)
Racetrack
as Mr. Ryan
(1933)
Strange People
as John Davis
(1933)
(1933)
Air Fright
as Mr. Lucas, Airline Superintendent
(1933)
Phantom Thunderbolt
as Eaton - Railroad President
(1932)
What Price Hollywood?
as Bill the Replacement Director (uncredited)
(1932)
Call Her Savage
as Child Welfare Official (Uncredited)
(1932)
The Dark Horse
as Debate Chairman
(1932)
The Unwritten Law
as Captain Kane
(1932)
Cross-Examination
as Judge Hollister
(1932)
Sister to Judas
as Mike O'Flanagan
(1932)
Big City Blues
as Policeman (uncredited)
(1932)
The Tabasco Kid
as Sheriff's Deputy
(1932)
The Devil Horse
as Whitney [Ch. 1] (uncredited)
(1932)
Red Noses
as Mr. Lucas
(1932)
The Secrets of Wu Sin
as Pharmacist
(1932)
Free Wheeling
as The Specialist
(1932)
Lucky Larrigan
as John Larrigan
(1932)
You Said a Mouthful
as Official (uncredited)
(1932)
Careless Lady
as Ship's Purser
(1932)
(1932)
(1931)
(1931)
Millie
as Millie's Elderly Escort (uncredited)
(1931)
Pardon Us
as Warden
(1931)
The Phantom
as Dist. Atty. John Hampton
(1931)
The Galloping Ghost
as Sportscaster
(1931)
House of Mystery
as Sheriff Franklin
(1931)
Men Call It Love
as Sam Ellery (uncredited)
(1931)
Stranger in Town
as J.P. Walker
(1931)
Convicted
as Capt. Hammond
(1931)
Graft
as Candidate Louis
(1931)
The Age for Love
as Undetermined Role
(1931)
(1931)
(1931)
Big Ears
as Doctor
(1931)
Young Donovan's Kid
as Duryea
(1930)
Madam Satan
as Roman Senator
(1930)
Looser Than Loose
as Mr. Gillstrom, Charley's Boss
(1930)
The Arizona Kid
as Manager
(1930)
Cock o' the Walk
as Señor Vallejo
(1930)
Those Who Dance
as Big Ben Benson
(1930)
(1930)
Hello Sister
as Dr. Saltus
(1927)
Burnt Fingers
as Lord Cumberly
(1926)
The Sorrows of Satan
as Minister (uncredited)
(1926)
Her Sacrifice
as Edwin Ramsey
(1925)
How Baxter Butted In
as R.S. Falk
(1925)
Cyclone Cavalier
as Hugh Clayton
(1925)
Riders of the Purple Sage
as Oldring
(1925)
A Broadway Butterfly
as Stage Manager
(1925)
The Bad Lands
as Col. Owen
(1925)
As No Man Has Loved
as Maj. Bissell
(1924)
Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall
as Earl of Rutland
(1924)
North of Nevada
as C. Hanaford
(1924)
Valley of Hate
as Old Jim Darley
(1924)
Racing for Life
as Hudford
(1924)
Lightning Romance
as Richard Wade
(1924)
The Fighting Sap
as Charles Richmond
(1924)
The Price She Paid
as James Presbury
(1924)
The Valley of Hate
as Old Jim Darley
(1924)
Daughters of Pleasure
as Mark Hadley
(1924)
Passion's Pathway
as Richard Stanton
(1923)
The Girl of the Golden West
as Ashby
(1923)
Jazzmania
as Julius Furman
(1923)
Trilby
as The Laird
(1923)
The Greatest Menace
as Charles W. Wright
(1922)
(1922)
The Kentucky Derby
as Capt. Wolff
(1922)
Across the Dead-Line
as Aaron Kidder
(1922)
Flesh and Blood
as The Policeman
(1922)
Paid Back
as Ship Captain
(1921)
One a Minute
as Prosecutor (uncredited)
(1921)
Through The Back Door
as Elton Reeves
(1921)
The Beautiful Liar
as Gaston Allegretti
(1921)
The Fighting Breed
as John MacDonald
(1920)
The Man from Kangaroo
as Red Jack Braggan
(1919)
What Every Woman Wants
as Horace Lennon
(1919)
The Hushed Hour
as Robert Appleton Jr.
(1919)
A Woman of Pleasure
as Sir John Thornbull
(1919)
Soldiers of Fortune
as President Alvarez
(1917)
Hands Up!
as John Houston
(1917)
Souls Triumphant
as Robert Powers
(1917)
Jim Bludso
as Jim Bludso
(1917)
A Love Sublime
as Philip
(1917)
Sins of Ambition
as Andrew Maxwell
(1917)
The Co-respondent
as Richard Manning
(1917)
The Judgment House
as Rudyard Byng
(1916)
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
as Extra (uncredited)
(1916)
Acquitted
as John Carter
(1916)
The Wood Nymph
as Fred Arnold
(1916)
Hell-to-Pay Austin
as Hell-to-Pay Austin
(1916)
Macbeth
as Macduff
(1916)
The Microscope Mystery
as Doc Arnold
(1915)
The Lily and the Rose
as Jack Van Norman
(1915)
The Spanish Jade
as Osmund Manvers
(1914)
Brute Force
as Brute Force
(1914)
Gentleman Burglar
as Baffles
(1913)
(1913)
(1913)
The Widow and the Widower
as The Widower
(1912)
Man's Genesis
as Bruteforce
(1912)
The Massacre
as Stephen
(1912)
A Sailor’s Heart
as The Sailor
(1912)
Fate's Interception
as The American
(1912)
Just Like a Woman
as The Wealthy Friend
(1912)
When Kings Were the Law
as The King of Romanda
(1912)
Home Folks
as The Blacksmith
(1912)
The Transformation of Mike
as Mike
(1912)
A Pueblo Legend
as The Indian Girl's Great Brother
(1912)
Under Burning Skies
as Joe
(1912)
The Goddess of Sagebrush Gulch
as Minor Role (uncredited)
(1912)
A Temporary Truce
as An Indian (uncredited)
(1912)
Billy's Stratagem
as Billy's Father
(1912)
(1911)
(1911)
(1911)
Enoch Arden
as Enoch Arden
(1911)
The Lonedale Operator
as The Fireman
(1911)
His Trust
as George
(1911)
The Making of a Man
as In Second Audience
(1911)
(1911)
The Primal Call
as The Fisherman
(1911)
The Miser's Heart
as First Crook
(1911)
Heart Beats of Long Ago
as The Lover
(1911)
Swords and Hearts
as Hugh Frazier
(1911)
The Long Road
as A Policeman
(1911)
A Woman Scorned
as The Doctor
(1911)
The Rose of Kentucky
as The planter
(1911)
Fisher Folks
as Steve Hardester
(1911)
(1911)
What Shall We Do with Our Old?
as Violent Jailbird
(1911)
(1911)
A Terrible Discovery
as The District Attorney
(1911)
His Trust Fulfilled
as George
(1911)
Love in the Hills
as The Manley Suitor
(1911)
The Failure
as The Clerk
(1911)
(1910)
(1910)
Winning Back His Love
as Frederick Wallace
(1909)
(1909)
(1909)
(1909)
(1909)
(1908)
(1908)
(1908)
The Greaser's Gauntlet
as Jose
Crew
(1932)
Igloo
Writer
(1932)
The Unwritten Law
Director
(1926)
Her Sacrifice
Director
(1924)
Racing for Life
Screenplay, Story
(1924)
The Beautiful Sinner
Story
(1921)
The Fighting Breed
Writer, Director
(1920)
The Man from Kangaroo
Director
(1918)
The Romance of Tarzan
Scenario Writer, Director
(1918)
Morgan's Raiders
Writer, Director
(1918)
A Pair of Pink Pajamas
Director
(1917)
Jim Bludso
Director
(1917)
Hands Up!
Director, Writer
(1917)
A Love Sublime
Director, Writer
(1915)
The Spanish Jade
Director
(1914)
The Severed Hand
Director
(1914)
A Misplaced Foot
Director
(1914)
The Trey o' Hearts
Director
(1914)
A Glimpse of Los Angeles
Director
(1913)
Pirate Gold
Director
(1913)
The Speed Kings
Director
(1913)
Fatty's Day Off
Director
(1913)
A Quiet Little Wedding
Director
(1913)
The Milk We Drink
Director
(1913)
Baby Day
Director
(1912)
The Chief's Blanket
Writer
(1912)
A Sailor’s Heart
Director, Writer
(1912)
With the Enemy's Help
Director
(1912)
When Kings Were the Law
Writer
(1910)
Sunshine Sue
Writer