John Joseph Francis Mulhall (October 7, 1887 – June 1, 1979) was an American film actor beginning in the silent film era who successfully transitioned to sound films, appearing in over 430 films in a career spanning 50 years.
Early years
Mulhall was born in Wappingers Falls, New York.[1] He was one of six children born to an Irish father and a Scottish mother.[2] He began helping with carnival acts when he was 14 years old.[1]
Career
Before acting in films, Mulhall worked in legitimate theater, musical comedy, and vaudeville. He also worked as a model for magazine illustrators. His first film appearance (other than as an extra) was in The Fugitive (1910).[1]
In the late 1940s, Mulhall joined Blackouts, a stage revue produced by Ken Murray. After that production ended in 1949, he went on to appear on television programs in the 1950s. His last television appearance was on 77 Sunset Strip.[1]
After he left acting, Mulhall worked for the Screen Actors Guild as a contract negotiator until 1974.[1]
Personal life
During the peak of his success in films, Mulhall bought "large land holdings in what is now Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley."[1] However, losses in the Great Depression wiped out his fortune.[1]
Mulhall's first wife was Bertha Vuillot, who died soon after they wed. His second wife, Laura Brunton, committed suicide in 1921. Later in 1921, he married Evelyn Winans. They remained married until his death in 1979.[3]
Death
In 1979, Mulhall died from congestive heart failure[4] at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.[1] He was 91. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.[5]
Recognition
For his contributions to the motion picture industry, Mulhall received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street.[6][4] It was dedicated on February 8, 1960.[7]
^ a b c d e f g h iMayer, Geoff (2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland. pp. 212–213. ISBN 9780786477623. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
^Katchmer, George A. (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 273. ISBN 9780786446933. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
^Slide, Anthony (2010). Silent Players: A Biographical and Autobiographical Study of 100 Silent Film Actors and Actresses. University Press of Kentucky. p. 255. ISBN 978-0813137452. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
^ a bJack Mulhall - LA Times Hollywood Star Walk
^Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. (2 volume set). McFarland. p. 537. ISBN 9780786479924. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
^Hollywood Walk of Fame - Jack Mulhall
^"Jack Mulhall". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jack Mulhall.