Edward LeSaint (January 1, 1871 – September 10, 1940)[1] was an American stage and film actor and director whose career began in the silent era. He acted in over 300 films and directed more than 90. He was sometimes credited as Edward J. Le Saint.[2] LeSaint typically portrayed characters in roles of authority, including over 30 roles, both credited and uncredited, as a judge.
LeSaint was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, of French ancestry. His schooling also was in Cincinnati. Before venturing into entertainment, he worked in a railroad's auditing office.[3]
LeSaint acted with a stock theater company in Cincinnati for a couple of years, then spent 15 years acting "in most of the prominent road shows all over the states."[3] On Broadway, LeSaint appeared (billed as Edward J. Le Saint) in Robert Emmet (1904), The Big Fight (1928), and Houseparty (1929).[4]
He went on to work with the Kinemacolor Company of America and Selig Polyscope Company in film production before he joined Universal Pictures.[3] He had a bit part as a judge in Too Many Women (1934).[5]
LeSaint directed approximately 50 films from 1912 to 1916.[6]
He married Stella Razetto[7][6] on December 25, 1913, and remained with her until his death.[citation needed] He died on September 10, 1940, in Hollywood, aged 69. He was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.[8]
