Profile of Ben Turpin on Famous Like Me

Ben Turpin (September 19, 1869 - July 1, 1940) was a comedian, best remembered for his work in silent films.

Birth

Turpin was born Bernhard Turpin or Bernard Turpin in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a candy store owner. His birthdate was given as September 19, 1869 but other years were used at various times in his Hollywood publicity material. In the 1900 US Census he used the year "1869", and his death certificate used "1869", and that year will be used here. Encyclopedia Brittanica wrongly lists the year of his birth as "1874". The New York Times obituary mentions the alternate years as fabrications. His death certificate lists his birthday as "September 19, 1869" and lists his mother's maiden name as "Buckley". The Internet Movie Database lists his birthday properly as "September 19, 1869".

Vaudeville

He worked in Vaudeville, Burlesque, and Circuses. Turpin had a distinctive appearance, with a small wiry frame, a brushy mustache, and crossed eyes. Turpin's famous crossed eyes, he said, only crossed as a young adult after he suffered an accident. Turpin was convinced that the crossed eyes were essential to his comic career; his co-workers recalled that after he received any blow to the head he made a point of looking himself in the mirror to assure himself that they had not become uncrossed. Turpin took out an 25,000 dollar insurance policy with Lloyd's of London, payable if his eyes ever uncrossed. He developed a vigorous style of physical comedy, including an ability to stage comic pratt-falls that impressed even his fellow workers in the rough & tumble world of silent comedy.

Film

Ben Turpin first appeared on film in 1907 for Essanay Studios in Chicago in various small parts and comic bits; in addition to his on-screen work Turpin worked as a janitor for Essanay. He enjoyed only moderate success until about 1914 when he started appearing in larger roles and became a credited comic star.

Mack Sennett

In 1917 Turpin began working for Mack Sennett's Studio. His roles often spoofed serious actors and celebrities of the time, and Turpin became one of film's most popular comics. Delighted with his success, he took to introducing himself with the phrase, "I'm Ben Turpin; I make three thousand dollars a week."

Retire

Turpin retired from film in 1924 to look after his ailing wife. Turpin had invested his earnings in real estate, and being highly successful at this, had no financial need for more work. After his wife's death, however, he again began making irregular appearances in supporting comic roles in films in 1926. This would continue into the sound era; his last film role was in the Laurel and Hardy film Saps at Sea in 1940.

Death

Ben Turpin passed away in 1940 and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Timeline

• 1869 Birth in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 19th
• 1870 US Census possibly as "John B. Turpin"
• 1880 US Census possibly in Murphysboro, Illinois as "John B. Turpin" in the home of his stepfather
• 1897 Possible marriage to Norma from Ohio
• 1900 US Census in Houston, Texas listing birth year as 1869 and living with Norma and claiming to be married for 3 years. He also wrote whimsically that his father was Mexican and his mother was an Irish immigrant
• 1907 First movie
• 1907 Marriage to Carrie Le Mieux (1885-1925) aka Catherine of Canada
• 1910 US Census in Chicago, Illinois listing his first name as "Bernhard"
• 1917 Work for Mack Sennett
• 1920 US Census in Los Angeles, California
• 1924 Retirement
• 1925 Death of Carrie Le Mieux (1885-1925)
• 1926 Marriage to Babette Dietz of Germany on July 8th
• 1930 US Census
• 1940 Death

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