Born: March 29, 1868 - Died: January 21, 1949
Joseph Cawthorn was a talented actor known for his contributions to the entertainment industry. Born on March 29, 1868 in New York City, Cawthorn made his stage debut at the age of four and went on to have a successful career spanning over twenty-five years on Broadway. He later moved to Hollywood in 1927, where he established himself as a character actor. Cawthorn was married to stage and screen actors Queenie Vassar. Sadly, he passed away on January 21, 1949 in Beverly Hills, California following a stroke. Throughout his career, Cawthorn left a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
Early Life and Career
Joseph Cawthorn, born in New York City on March 29, 1868, had a remarkable journey in the entertainment industry. Growing up in a family of minstrel show performers, he developed a passion for performing from an early age. Cawthorn's first notable appearance was on stage at the age of four. He honed his craft in England's music halls for four years before making his debut on Broadway in 1898.
Cawthorn's career on Broadway spanned an impressive twenty-five years, during which he became a revered figure in the musical comedy genre. He starred in numerous acclaimed productions such as "The Girl From Utah" and "Little Nemo in Slumberland." Notably, it is said that Cawthorn invented the word "Wiffenpoof" during one of his performances.
In 1927, Cawthorn ventured to Hollywood, where he began a new chapter as a character actor in the film industry.
He was married to stage and screen actress Queenie Vassar.
Throughout his career, Cawthorn crafted memorable performances that left a lasting impact. While he may not have reached the level of stardom as some of his contemporaries, his contributions to the entertainment industry were highly regarded. He showcased his versatility in various roles and earned the respect of his peers.
Joseph Cawthorn passed away on January 21, 1949, in Beverly Hills, California, following a stroke. Although he may not be widely recognized today, his dedication and talent made a significant impact on Hollywood during his era, solidifying his status as a respected and admired actor.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | The Postman Didn't Ring | Silas Harwood |
| 1941 | So Ends Our Night | Leopold Potzloch |
| 1940 | Scatterbrain | Nicholas Raptis |
| 1940 | Lillian Russell | Leopold Damrosch |
| 1936 | Crime Over London | Mr. Sherwood | Riley |
| 1936 | Hot Money | Max Dourfuss |
| 1936 | One Rainy Afternoon | Monsieur Pelerin |
| 1936 | The Great Ziegfeld | Dr. Ziegfeld (as Joseph Cawthorne) |
| 1936 | Brides Are Like That | Fred Schultz |
| 1935 | Beautiful Dreamer (Short) | Unknown |
| 1935 | Freshman Love | Wilson, Sr. (as Joe Cawthorn) |
| 1935 | Harmony Lane | Professor Henry Kleber |
| 1935 | Page Miss Glory | Mr.Freischutz |
| 1935 | Bright Lights | Oscar Schlemmer |
| 1935 | Smart Girl | Karl Krausemeyer |
| 1935 | Gold Diggers of 1935 | Schultz |
| 1935 | Naughty Marietta | Herr Schuman (as Joseph Cawthorne) |
| 1935 | Sweet Music | Sidney Selzer (as Joe Cawthorn) |
| 1935 | Maybe It's Love | Adolph Sr. |
| 1934 | Sweet Adeline | Oscar Schmidt |
| 1934 | Music in the Air | Hans Uppman |
| 1934 | Young and Beautiful | Herman Cline |
| 1934 | The Human Side | Fritz Speigal |
| 1934 | Housewife | Krueger (as Joe Cawthorne) |
| 1934 | The Last Gentleman | Dr. Wilson |
| 1934 | Twenty Million Sweethearts | Herbert Brokman (as Joseph Cawthorne) |
| 1934 | Glamour | Ibsen |
| 1934 | Lazy River | Mr. Julius Ambrose |
| 1934 | The Cat and the Fiddle | Rudy |
| 1933 | Cold Turkey (Short) | Unknown |
| 1933 | Broken Dreams | Pop |
| 1933 | Best of Enemies | Gus Schneider |
| 1933 | Made on Broadway | Maxie Schultz |
| 1933 | Blondie Johnson | Manager (as Joe Cawthorn) |
| 1933 | Grand Slam | Alex Alexandrovitch (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Whistling in the Dark | Otto Barfuss |
| 1932 | Men Are Such Fools | Werner (as Joseph Cawthorne) |
| 1932 | They Call It Sin | Mr. Hollister (as Joe Cawthorne) |
| 1932 | Love Me Tonight | Dr. Armand de Fontinac (as Joseph Cawthorne) |
| 1932 | White Zombie | Dr. Bruner |
| 1931 | Peach O'Reno | Joe Bruno |
| 1931 | The Runaround | Lou |
| 1931 | A Tailor Made Man | Huber |
| 1931 | Kiki | Alfred Rapp |
| 1930 | The Princess and the Plumber | Merkl |
| 1930 | Dixiana | Cornelius Van Horn - Carl's Father |
| 1929 | Dance Hall | Bremmer |
| 1929 | Jazz Heaven | Herman Kemple (as Joseph Cawthorne) |
| 1929 | The Taming of the Shrew | Gremio |
| 1929 | Street Girl | Keppel - Cafe Owner |
| 1929 | Speakeasy | Yokel |
| 1928 | Hold 'Em Yale | Professor George Bradbury |
| 1927 | Silk Legs | Ezra Fulton |
| 1927 | Very Confidential | Donald Allen |
| 1927 | Two Girls Wanted | Philip Hancock |
| 1927 | The Secret Studio | Pa Merton |
