About
Born Joseph Frank Keaton IV in Piqua, Kansas, he began performing at age three in the family vaudeville act. Nicknamed 'Buster' by Harry Houdini, he was renowned for his deadpan expression and physical comedy genius. He made his film debut with Roscoe Arbuckle in 1917, then directed and starred in his own silent features, including 'The General' (1927), now considered his masterpiece. In 1928, he signed with MGM, lost creative control, and struggled with alcoholism. He experienced a career revival in the 1940s–1950s, notably on television and in cameo roles. He received an honorary Oscar in 1960 and died in 1966.
* 1895-10-04 — † 1966-02-01
Major works
- One Week (1920)short film
- Sherlock, Jr. (1924)film
- The Navigator (1924)film
- The General (1927)film
- Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)film
Key milestones
- 1917Film debut in The Butcher Boy with Roscoe Arbuckle.
- 1928Signs with MGM, loses creative control.
- 1960Receives an honorary Academy Award for his contributions to cinema.
Themes
Physical comedyDeadpan expressionStunts and technical featsSilent filmResilience and career revival
Sources: id.loc.gov · britannica.com · kansashistory.gov
