Buster Keaton

Buster Keaton Headshot

Actor • Comedian • Director

Birth Date: October 3, 1895

Death Date: February 1, 1966

Birth Place: Piqua, Kansas

Renowned for his death-defying stunt work and permanently deadpan facial expressions, actor and director Buster Keaton revolutionized the silent comedy with films such as "Sherlock Jr." (1924), "The General" (1926) and "The Cameraman" (1928). Born in Piqua, KS in 1895, Buster Keaton joined his vaudeville entertainer parents on stage aged just three and continued to perform throughout his childhood before serving in the U.S. Army during the First World War. On his return he forged a working relationship with Fatty Arbuckle, making his acting debut in the comedian's silent two-reel "The Butcher's Boy" (2017), and co-starring with him in over a dozen shorts. After appearing in his first full-length feature, "The Saphead" (1920), Keaton launched his own eponymous production company, with whom he wrote, directed and starred in two-reels such as "One Week" (1920), "The Playhouse" (1921) and "The Electric Wheel" (1922) and cemented a reputation as a master of the parody. Keaton then moved permanently into feature films where he insisted on performing his own stunts, most memorably breaking his neck without realizing in "Sherlock Jr." (1924), hanging onto the front of a locomotive in what many consider to be his masterpiece, "The General" (1926), and narrowly avoiding being toppled by a falling house wall in "Steamboat Bill, Jr." (1928). However, despite their later status as classics, many of Keaton's labors of love struggled to enamor box office audiences at the time. As a result, Keaton was forced to relinquish his full creative control and he spent several demoralizing years starring in various pictures for MGM, who not only banned him from any stuntwork but also made him film each scene three times in order to capture the international markets. After taking a break from Hollywood to shoot films in England and France, Keaton made several two-reels for Educational Pictures and Columbia, served as a gag writer for the Marx Brothers, Red Skelton and Lucille Ball, and made cameos in "In the Good Old Summertime" (1949), "Sunset Boulevard" (1950) and "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956). He also appeared alongside contemporary Charlie Chaplin for the first and only time in "Limelight" (1952) and embraced the relatively new medium of television with several self-titled comedy shows and a first dramatic role in anthology "Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents" (Syndication, 1953-57). After returning to MGM for "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1960), Keaton was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 1960, enjoyed supporting roles in "Pajama Party" (1964), "Beach Blanket Bingo" (1965) and "Sergeant Deadhead" (1965) and sported his signature pork pie hat for his final silent film, "The Railroader" (1965). He then received a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival for his performance as O in Samuel Beckett short "Film" (1965) before making his screen swansong playing next-door-neighbor Erronius in ancient Roman farce "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (1966). Several months before its release, Keaton passed away in Woodland Hills, CA from lung cancer at the age of 70.

Credits

Het Theater van Toen

Actor
Show
2017

Buster Keaton, The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood

Self
Show
2017

Extrait : Retour de flamme

Actor
Show
2014

Extrait : Retour de flamme

Director
Show
2014

Buster Keaton Vol. 1 - Silent Comedy Classics

Actor
Show
2014

Buster Keaton Vol. 2 - Silent Comedy Classics

Actor
Show
2014

Vaudeville Comedy, Then and Now

Actor
Movie
2012

Stan Laurel und Oliver Hardy - Best Comedians ever

Actor
Show
2009

Hollywood Handicap

Director
Show
2008

Neighbors

Actor
Show
2007

Neighbors

Director
Show
2007

The Scarecrow

Actor
Show
2005

The Scarecrow

Director
Show
2005

The Scarecrow

Writer
Show
2005

Buster Keaton: So Funny It Hurt

Actor
Show
2004

One Week

Actor
Show
2004

One Week

Director
Show
2004

One Week

Writer
Show
2004

Convict 13

Actor
Show
1995

Convict 13

Director
Show
1995

Convict 13

Writer
Show
1995

Hard Luck

Actor
Show
1995

Hard Luck

Director
Show
1995

Hard Luck

Writer
Show
1995

Haunted House

Actor
Show
1995

Haunted House

Director
Show
1995

Haunted House

Writer
Show
1995

The Balloonatic

Actor
Show
1995

The Balloonatic

Director
Show
1995

The Balloonatic

Writer
Show
1995

The Blacksmith

Actor
Show
1995

The Blacksmith

Director
Show
1995

The Blacksmith

Writer
Show
1995

The Boat

Actor
Show
1995

The Boat

Director
Show
1995

The Boat

Writer
Show
1995

The Goat

Actor
Show
1995

The Goat

Director
Show
1995

The Goat

Writer
Show
1995

The High Sign

Actor
Show
1995

The High Sign

Director
Show
1995

The High Sign

Writer
Show
1995

The Love Nest

Actor
Show
1995

The Love Nest

Director
Show
1995

The Love Nest

Writer
Show
1995

The Playhouse

Actor
Show
1995

The Playhouse

Director
Show
1995

The Playhouse

Writer
Show
1995

The Electric House

Actor
Show
1995

The Electric House

Director
Show
1995

The Electric House

Writer
Show
1995

The Railrodder

Actor
Show
1995

Four Clowns

Actor
James Shannon
Movie
1970

War, Italian Style

Actor
Gen. von Kassler
Movie
1967

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumStream

Actor
Erronius
Movie
1966
83%

A Salute to Stan Laurel

Actor
Guest
Show
1965

The Railrodder

Actor
The Man
Movie
1965

The Railrodder

Director
Movie
1965

The Railrodder

Screenwriter
Movie
1965

Due marines e un generale

Actor
Movie
1965

Film

Actor
The Man
Movie
1965

Sergeant Deadhead

Actor
Airman Blinken
Movie
1965

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini

Actor
Bwana
Movie
1965

Beach Blanket Bingo

Actor
Buster Keaton
Movie
1965

Pajama PartyStream

Actor
Chief Rotten Eagle
Movie
1964
33%

30 Years of Fun

Actor
Movie
1963

The Great Chase

Actor
Movie
1963

Mundo de la Risa

Actor
Movie
1963

Ten Girls Ago

Actor
Gaspar Dan
Show
1962

Crazy Days

Actor
Movie
1962

Buster Keaton in Wildwest

Actor
Movie
1962

The Sound of Laughter

Actor
Movie
1962

Route 66Stream

Guest Star
Jonah Butler
Series
1960

Lifetime Of Comedy

Actor
Movie
1960

The Twilight ZoneStream

Actor
Woodrow Mulligan
Series
1959
92%

The Ed Wynn ShowStream

Actor
Series
1958

Around the World in 80 DaysStream

Actor
Train Conductor
Movie
1956
71%

The Sunday Spectacular: Show Biz From Vaudeville to Video

Guest
Show
1955

Screen Directors Playhouse

Actor
Show
1955

Producers' Showcase

Actor
Show
1954

The Dunninger Show

Self
Show
1953

I've Got a SecretStream

Guest
Game Show
1952

Paradise for Buster

Actor
Movie
1952

Limelight

Actor
Calvero's Partner
Movie
1952

What's My Line?Stream

Guest
Game Show
1950

Clowning Around

Actor
Show
1950

Sunset BoulevardStream

Actor
Himself
Movie
1950
98%

Sunset BoulevardStream

Self
Movie
1950
98%

The Misadventures of Buster Keaton

Actor
Buster
Movie
1950

In the Good Old SummertimeStream

Actor
Hickey
Movie
1949
62%

The Lovable Cheat

Actor
Goulard
Movie
1949

God's Country

Actor
Mr. Boone/Old Tarp
Movie
1946

Boom in the Moon

Actor
Movie
1946

El moderno Barba Azul

Actor
Movie
1946

She Went to the Races

Actor
Bellboy
Movie
1945

That's the Spirit

Actor
L.M.
Movie
1945

That Night With You

Actor
Sam
Movie
1945

San Diego, I Love You

Actor
Bus Driver
Movie
1944

The Spook Speaks

Actor
Buster
Movie
1940

The Villain Still Pursued Her

Actor
William Dalton
Movie
1940

Li'l Abner

Actor
Lonesome Polecat
Movie
1940

At the Circus

Screenwriter
Movie
1939

Hollywood Cavalcade

Actor
Buster Keaton
Movie
1939

Hollywood Handicap

Director
Movie
1938

Streamlined Swing

Director
Movie
1938

Jail Bait

Actor
Show
1937

Jail Bait

Actor
Office Boy
Movie
1937

Mixed Magic

Actor
Elmer 'Happy' Butterworth
Movie
1936

An Old Spanish Custom

Actor
Leander Proudfoot
Movie
1936

What! No Beer?

Actor
Elmer J. Butts
Movie
1935

The Passionate Plumber

Actor
Elmer E. Tuttle
Movie
1932

Speak Easily

Actor
Professor Post
Movie
1932

Speak Easily

Producer
Movie
1932

Buster se marie

Actor
Reggie
Movie
1931

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

Actor
Reginald Irving
Movie
1931

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

Producer
Movie
1931

Sidewalks of New York

Actor
Harmon
Movie
1931

The Stolen Jools

Actor
Policeman
Movie
1931

Doughboys

Actor
Elmer
Movie
1930

Free and Easy

Actor
Elmer
Movie
1930

Spite Marriage

Actor
Elmer
Movie
1929

Spite Marriage

Director
Movie
1929

Spite Marriage

Producer
Movie
1929

The Hollywood Revue

Actor
Himself/Princess Raja
Movie
1929

The CameramanStream

Actor
Buster
Movie
1928
100%

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Actor
William Canfield Jr.
Movie
1928

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Director
Movie
1928

Buster Keaton en el Colegio

Actor
Movie
1927

College

Actor
A Son
Movie
1927

Sportif par amour

Actor
Movie
1927

The GeneralStream

Actor
Johnny Gray
Movie
1926
92%

The GeneralStream

Director
Movie
1926
92%

The GeneralStream

Film Editing
Movie
1926
92%

The GeneralStream

Producer
Movie
1926
92%

The GeneralStream

Writer
Movie
1926
92%

Battling Butler

Actor
Alfred Butler
Movie
1926

Battling Butler

Director
Movie
1926

Battling Butler

Producer
Movie
1926

Go West

Actor
Friendless
Movie
1925

Go West

Director
Movie
1925

Seven Chances

Actor
James Shannon
Movie
1925

Seven Chances

Director
Movie
1925

Seven Chances

Film Editing
Movie
1925

Seven Chances

Producer
Movie
1925

The Navigator

Actor
Rollo Treadway
Movie
1924

The Navigator

Director
Movie
1924

The Navigator

Film Editing
Movie
1924

The Navigator

Producer
Movie
1924

Sherlock Jr.Stream

Actor
Sherlock, Jr./Projectionist
Movie
1924
93%

Sherlock Jr.Stream

Director
Movie
1924
93%

Sherlock Jr.Stream

Film Editing
Movie
1924
93%

Sherlock Jr.Stream

Producer
Movie
1924
93%

The Balloonatic

Actor
The Young Man
Movie
1923

The Balloonatic

Director
Movie
1923

The Balloonatic

Screenwriter
Movie
1923

The Love Nest

Actor
Movie
1923

The Love Nest

Director
Movie
1923

The Love Nest

Screenwriter
Movie
1923

Our Hospitality

Actor
Willie McKay (21 years old)
Movie
1923

Our Hospitality

Director
Movie
1923

The Three Ages

Actor
The Boy
Movie
1923

The Three Ages

Director
Movie
1923

The Three Ages

Producer
Movie
1923

The Three Ages

Writer
Movie
1923

Day Dreams

Actor
The Young Man
Movie
1922

Cops

Actor
Movie
1922

Cops

Director
Movie
1922

Cops

Film Editor
Movie
1922

Cops

Screenwriter
Movie
1922

The Electric HouseStream

Actor
Movie
1922

The Electric HouseStream

Director
Movie
1922

The Electric HouseStream

Writer
Movie
1922

The Frozen North

Actor
The Bad Man
Movie
1922

The Frozen North

Director
Movie
1922

Malec chez les Indiens

Actor
Movie
1922

My Wife's Relations

Actor
The Husband
Movie
1922

My Wife's Relations

Director
Movie
1922

My Wife's Relations

Screenwriter
Movie
1922

The Blacksmith

Actor
Blacksmith's assistant
Movie
1922

The Blacksmith

Director
Movie
1922

The Blacksmith

Screenwriter
Movie
1922

The Paleface

Actor
Little Chief Paleface
Movie
1922

The Paleface

Director
Movie
1922

The Paleface

Screenwriter
Movie
1922

Hard Luck

Actor
Suicidal Boy
Movie
1921

Hard Luck

Director
Movie
1921

Hard Luck

Screenwriter
Movie
1921

The Saphead

Actor
Bertie Van Alstyne
Movie
1921

The Boat

Actor
The Boat Builder
Movie
1921

The Boat

Director
Movie
1921

The Boat

Screenwriter
Movie
1921

The High Sign

Actor
Our Hero
Movie
1921

The High Sign

Director
Movie
1921

The High Sign

Screenwriter
Movie
1921

The Haunted House

Actor
Bank Clerk
Movie
1921

The Haunted House

Director
Movie
1921

The Haunted House

Screenwriter
Movie
1921

The Goat

Actor
The Goat
Movie
1921

The Goat

Director
Movie
1921

The Goat

Screenwriter
Movie
1921

The Play HouseStream

Actor
Audience/Orchestra/Mr. Brown - First Minstrel/Second Minstrel/Stagehand
Movie
1921

The Play HouseStream

Director
Movie
1921

The Play HouseStream

Film Editing
Movie
1921

The Play HouseStream

Screenwriter
Movie
1921

Neighbors

Actor
The Boy
Show
1920

Neighbors

Director
Show
1920

Neighbors

Writer
Show
1920

The Scarecrow

Actor
Farmhand
Movie
1920

The Scarecrow

Director
Movie
1920

The Scarecrow

Screenwriter
Movie
1920

One Week

Actor
The Groom
Movie
1920

Neighbors

Actor
The Boy
Movie
1920

Neighbors

Director
Movie
1920

Neighbors

Writer
Movie
1920

The Garage

Actor
Movie
1920

Convict 13

Actor
Golfer Turned Prisoner
Movie
1920

Convict 13

Director
Movie
1920

Convict 13

Screenwriter
Movie
1920

Back Stage

Actor
Stagehand
Movie
1919

The Hayseed

Actor
General Store Manager
Movie
1919

The Cook

Actor
Assistant Chef
Movie
1918

Moonshine

Actor
Movie
1918

Good Night, Nurse!

Actor
Dr. Hampton/Woman with Umbrella
Movie
1918

Out West

Actor
Sheriff/Saloon Owner
Movie
1918

The Bell Boy

Actor
Bellboy
Movie
1918

The Butcher Boy

Actor
Buster
Movie
1917

Coney Island

Actor
Rival/Cop with Moustache
Movie
1917

The Rough House

Actor
Gardener/Delivery Boy/Cop
Movie
1917

His Wedding Night

Actor
Delivery Boy
Movie
1917

Oh, Doctor!

Actor
Junior Holepoke
Movie
1917

News aboutBuster Keaton