Kenneth Harlan was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Penalty, Paradise Island, and Danger Island. Born on July 26, 1895, in Boston, Massachusetts, he became a prominent figure during the silent film era.
Personal and Family Life
Kenneth Harlan married nine times throughout his life. His spouses included Rhea Walker, Helene Stanton, and Rosemarie Gonsalves Mirjanian, whom he married just days before his death. He had a child with his first wife, Helen (Donna) Spelner. Harlan was the son of actress Rita Harlan and George W. Harlan, and he had a relative in the acting industry, Otis Harlan.
Career
Kenneth Harlan began his career in acting around 1902 and moved to Hollywood in 1916. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and became well-known for his roles as a romantic lead in silent films. However, as sound films became popular, his status as an actor declined, and he took on lesser roles before retiring in 1943 to work as a restaurateur and agent.
Death and Legacy
Kenneth Harlan passed away on March 6, 1967, in Sacramento, California, due to an aneurysm. Despite his declining fame in the sound era, he is remembered for his contribution to silent films and has left a lasting legacy in early American cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Paradise Island | 1930-07-15 | Jim Thorne |
| The Corpse Vanishes | 1942-05-08 | Editor Keenan |
| The Walking Dead | 1936-03-01 | Stephen Martin |
| The Penalty | 1920-08-15 | Dr. Wilmot Allen |
| Gunsmoke Ranch | 1937-05-05 | Phineas T. Flagg |
| Poisoned Paradise | 1924-02-29 | Hugh Kildair / Gilbert Kildair |
| The Virginian | 1923-09-29 | The Virginian |
| Held For Ransom | 1938-06-17 | McBride |