Matty Kemp was an American actor known for his roles in films such as Million Dollar Weekend, The French Line, and America’s Sweetheart: The Mary Pickford Story. Born on September 10, 1907, in New York City, he began his career in silent films before transitioning to producing musical shorts. He passed away on December 12, 1999, in Los Angeles, California.
Personal and Family Life
Matty Kemp was born as Matthias Kaempf to a family of German descent. He started his career as a promising juvenile actor in Universal’s silent films, showcasing his talent at a young age. As the film industry evolved, so did his role, and he increasingly focused on behind-the-scenes production work.
Career and Contributions
In the 1940s, Matty’s acting career declined, leading him to produce a series of short musical films instead. He was later entrusted by legendary actress Mary Pickford to manage her collection of historical films and memorabilia. Kemp’s dedication to preserving cinema history highlights his commitment to the film industry.
Death and Legacy
Matty Kemp passed away on December 12, 1999, in Los Angeles, leaving behind a rich legacy in American cinema. His work in both acting and production played a significant role in the evolution of the film industry during a transformative era. Through his efforts, he helped preserve the history of silent films and the early days of Hollywood.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Phantom of Crestwood | 1932-10-14 | Frank Andes |
| Crazy to Act | 1927-05-15 | Arthur Young |
| The Campus Vamp | 1928-11-25 | Matty |
| Cross Streets | 1934-07-05 | Ken Barclay |
| Down To Earth | 1932-09-01 | Ross Peters |
| Probation | 1932-03-15 | Bert |
| Tango | 1936-02-13 | Anthony Thorne Carver |
| Here’s Flash Casey | 1938-01-07 | Rodney Addison |
| City Park | 1934-05-01 | Raymond Ransome |
| Air Eagles | 1931-12-20 | Eddie Ramsey |
| Common Clay | 1930-08-01 | Arthur Coakley |
| Saleslady | 1938-01-27 | Wheeler |
| Matchmaking Mamma | 1929-03-30 | Larry Lodge |
| Thrill of Youth | 1932-08-15 | Chet Thayer |
| The Campus Carmen | 1928-09-22 | Carole’s Sweetheart |
| The Good-Bye Kiss | 1928-07-08 | Bill Williams |
| Sudden Money | 1939-03-31 | Sound Man |
| The Magnificent Flirt | 1928-06-02 | Hubert |
| 3 Kids and a Queen | 1935-10-21 | Reporter |
| I Demand Payment | 1938-12-13 | Toby Locke |
| Dangerous Waters | 1936-02-10 | Officer Garvey (uncredited) |
| Million Dollar Legs | 1939-07-13 | Ed Riggs |
| Cadet Girl | 1941-11-28 | Phil – Musician (uncredited) |
| One More Chance | 1931-11-15 | Percy Howard |
| Rustlers’ Ranch | 1926-04-11 | Clem Allen |
| The Million Dollar Collar | 1929-02-09 | Bill Holmes |
| Gold Digger of Weepah | 1927-10-02 | Winslow – the Barber’s Son |
| Law of the Texan | 1938-10-24 | Ranger Jack Bryant |
| Wine, Women and Song | 1933-03-27 | Ray Joyce |
| The Adventures of the Masked Phantom | 1939-09-30 | Stan Barton |
| Making Good | 1926-12-06 | Sophomore |
| Fighting to Win | 1926-11-21 | Student at Cafe |