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(7 November 1879, St. Louis, Missouri
- 11 July 1948, Los Angeles, California)
 Born
in St. Louis, Missouri, he went to New York City with the intention
of becoming a Broadway actor. In nearby Fort Lee, New Jersey he
began a film career in 1909 as an actor in silent films with Carl
Laemmle at his IMP Studios.
Within two years he began writing scripts and directing, all the
while becoming a major star in the U.S., Great Britain and in
Europe. At a time when actors worked anonymously, Baggot and actress
Florence Lawrence became the first "film stars" to be given billing,
a marquis, and to be promoted in advertising.
In his 1914 two-reel film, Shadows, Baggot both directed as well as
played the part of ten different characters.
As a director, he gave Marie Prevost her first starring role in the
1922 romantic comedy Kissed. He also directed William S. Hart in his
most famous Western film, Tumbleweeds.
Problems with certain studio executives and the advent of sound in
film eventually ended his directing career and he turned to
character acting roles in the 1930s and 1940s. Over his career,
Baggot participated in close to three hundred motion picture
projects.
He has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at
6312 Hollywood Blvd. |
