Elmo Lincoln was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Tarzan of the Apes, The Adventures of Tarzan, and The Romance of Tarzan. He was born Otto Elmo Linkenhelt on February 6, 1889, in Rochester, Indiana, and became famous for being the first actor to portray Tarzan on screen.
Personal and Family Life
Elmo Lincoln was married twice. His first marriage was to Sadie Whited from 1913 until their divorce in 1921. He later married Ida Lee Tanchick in 1935, but details about their life together remain limited. Elmo Lincoln had a background as a peace officer in Arkansas before venturing into acting.
Career
Elmo Lincoln began his acting career with D.W. Griffith’s film “The Battle of Elderbush Gulch” in 1912. He gained significant fame after starring in “Tarzan of the Apes” in 1918, a film that became a box office hit. He appeared in several Tarzan films and serials, along with various other roles throughout his career, both during the silent film era and later in talkies.
Death and Legacy
Elmo Lincoln passed away on June 27, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, due to a heart attack. He is interred at Hollywood Memorial Park and is remembered as a pioneering figure in the film industry. His portrayal of Tarzan left a lasting impact on popular culture and influenced future adaptations of the character.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Tarzan of the Apes | 1918-01-27 | Tarzan |
| Gretchen the Greenhorn | 1916-09-03 | Mystery Ship Captain |
| The Adventures of Tarzan | 1921-12-01 | Tarzan |
| Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp | 1917-10-11 | Magic Genie |
| The Half-Breed | 1916-07-30 | The Doctor |
| Elmo the Fearless | 1920-01-02 | The Stranger |
| Elmo, the Mighty | 1919-01-02 | Capt. Elmo Armstrong |
| The Romance of Tarzan | 1918-10-17 | Tarzan |
| Wyoming Outlaw | 1939-06-27 | U.S. Marshal Gregg |
| Union Pacific | 1939-05-05 | Card Player (uncredited) |
| The Greatest Thing in Life | 1918-12-22 | The American Soldier |
| Intolerance: Love’s Struggle Throughout the Ages | 1916-09-04 | The Mighty Man of Valor (uncredited) |
| Hollywood Story | 1951-06-01 | Himself (uncredited) |
| The Bad Boy | 1917-02-18 | Yeggman |
| Betsy’s Burglar | 1917-03-04 | |
| Might and the Man | 1917-05-05 | McFadden |
| Bandit Ranger | 1942-09-28 | Townsman in Bank (uncredited) |
| The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin | 1918-01-02 | Marcas, the Blacksmith |
| The Birth of a Nation | 1915-02-08 | Blacksmith |
| Hoodoo Ann | 1916-03-26 | Officer Lambert |
| Badman’s Territory | 1946-05-04 | Dick Broadwell (uncredited) |
| The Man Who Walked Alone | 1945-03-15 | Turnkey |
| Tap Roots | 1948-08-25 | Sergeant (uncredited) |
| All Around Frying Pan | 1925-11-08 | Foreman Slade |
| Escape in the Fog | 1945-04-05 | Cop (uncredited) |
| The Flaming Disk | 1920-11-21 | Elmo Gray / Jim Gray |
| Colorado Sunset | 1939-07-30 | Dairyman Burns |
| Under Crimson Skies | 1920-07-05 | Captain Yank Barstow |
| Treasure Island | 1917-11-18 | Prologue Player |
| The Road Through the Dark | 1918-11-01 | Pvt. Schultz |
| Quincy Adams Sawyer | 1922-12-04 | Abner Stiles |
| Pirates Bold | 1915-06-15 | The Fisherman |
| Buckshot John | 1915-02-04 | The Sheriff |
| Jordan Is a Hard Road | 1915-12-19 | |
| Stage to Chino | 1940-07-26 | Townsman (uncredited) |
| Rolling Home | 1946-11-01 | Racing Official |
| A Double Life | 1947-12-25 | |
| The Hunchback of Notre Dame | 1923-09-06 | (uncredited) |
| Rupert of Hentzau | 1923-07-15 | Simon |