Edward Everett Horton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Everett Horton
|
|
|---|---|
Horton in 1941
|
|
| Born |
Edward Everett Horton Jr.
March 18, 1886 New York City, U.S.
|
| Died | September 29, 1970 (aged 84) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, California |
| Alma mater | Oberlin College (no degree) Brooklyn Polytechnic Columbia University |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1906–1970 |
Edward Everett Horton Jr. (born March 18, 1886 – died September 29, 1970) was a famous American actor. He had a very long career! He acted in movies, plays, on the radio, and on TV. He even used his voice for cartoons. He was known for playing funny, often nervous, characters.
Contents
Edward Horton's Early Life
Edward Everett Horton was born on March 18, 1886, in New York City. His father worked for The New York Times newspaper. Edward went to high school in Brooklyn and then in Baltimore. He later went to Oberlin College.
While at college, he played a prank that got him into trouble. He climbed a building and threw a dummy off, making people think he had jumped! After that, he left Oberlin. He then studied at other colleges in New York City, but he found his true passion: acting. He said that once he was on stage, he knew what he wanted to do.
Becoming a Star: Stage and Film Career
Edward Horton started acting when he was just 20 years old in 1906. He sang, danced, and played small parts in plays. His father told him to use his full name, Edward Everett Horton, because it was unique.
In 1919, he moved to Los Angeles to act in Hollywood movies. His first main role was in a silent comedy called Too Much Business (1922). He easily moved from silent films to "talkies" (movies with sound) in 1929.
Horton became famous for his special way of reacting to things, called a "double take." First, he would smile and nod as if everything was fine. Then, a moment later, his face would show a surprised or worried look as he realized what had really happened.
Even though he was busy with movies, Edward loved acting on stage the most. He appeared in many plays, especially in summer theaters. One play, Springtime for Henry, became a show he performed many times.
He was in many popular movies, often playing funny supporting roles. Some of his well-known films include The Front Page (1931), Trouble in Paradise (1932), and Lost Horizon (1937). He also appeared in several famous Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals like The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Top Hat (1935). Later in his career, he was in Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). His very last movie was Cold Turkey (1971), where his character only used facial expressions to communicate.
Edward Horton was so busy that sometimes he had to be in two projects at once! He even asked his friend, the famous comedian Buster Keaton, to take over a play for him so he could film a movie.
Edward Horton on Radio and TV
From 1945 to 1947, Edward Horton hosted a radio show called Kraft Music Hall. He also appeared on early television shows. One of his most famous TV roles was in an episode of I Love Lucy in 1952.
Many younger viewers, especially those born after World War II, remember him as the friendly narrator of the Fractured Fairy Tales cartoons. These were short, funny retellings of classic fairy tales on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show from 1959 to 1964.
He also played Uncle Ned in Dennis the Menace in 1962. In the 1960s, he had a funny role as "Roaring Chicken," a medicine man, in the TV comedy F Troop. He played a similar character, "Chief Screaming Chicken," in two episodes of the Batman TV show.
Edward Horton's Personal Life
Edward Horton never talked much about his private life. He never married, but he joked in an interview that he hadn't given up hope! Instead of going on dates or to nightclubs, he often invited his co-stars to parties he hosted.
Death and Lasting Impact
Edward Everett Horton passed away from cancer on September 29, 1970, at the age of 84. He had lived in Los Angeles for 45 years. He was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
In 1925, Horton bought a large property in Los Angeles. He named it "Belleigh Acres." His brother, sister, and their families lived in houses nearby on the property. After his death, a street near his home was renamed Edward Everett Horton Lane in his honor.
A British radio DJ and comedian named Kenny Everett even adopted the last name "Everett" because he admired Edward Everett Horton so much!
For all his amazing work in movies, Edward Everett Horton has a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Images for kids
-
Horton in 1941
