Spottiswoode Aitken

Spottiswoode Aitken was an American actor best known for his roles in The Birth of a Nation, The White Circle, and The Americano. Born on April 16, 1867, in Edinburgh, Scotland, he had a varied career in both stage and film acting.

Personal and Family Life

Spottiswoode Aitken was married to Marion Dana Jones until their divorce in 1922, and together they had three children. He began his acting career on stage at the young age of 13. Aitken spent a significant portion of his life touring the United States with various stock theater companies.

Career Highlights

Known for his work both on stage and in films, Aitken made a mark in the early film industry after meeting D.W. Griffith during a production in 1907. He was among the first actors to move to Los Angeles when the film industry was still primarily based in New York. His long career saw him perform in numerous important films from the silent era.

Death and Legacy

Spottiswoode Aitken passed away on February 26, 1933, in Los Angeles, California. His contributions to the early days of cinema and theater remain noteworthy, and he is remembered as a talented actor in a pivotal time for the film industry.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
The Birth of a Nation 1915-02-08 Dr. Cameron
Intolerance: Love’s Struggle Throughout the Ages 1916-09-04 Brown Eyes’ Father (French Story)
The Avenging Conscience 1914-08-02 The Uncle
The Wicked Darling 1919-12-25 Fadem
Monte Cristo 1922-09-03 Abbé Faria
The Americano 1916-12-23 Presidente de Castalar
Captain Kidd, Jr. 1919-04-05 Augus MacTavish
How Could You, Jean? 1918-06-29 Rufus Bonner
The Fire Patrol 1924-08-14 Captain John Ferguson
The Flying Torpedo 1916-03-12 Bartholomew Thompson
The Coast Patrol 1925-07-18 Capt. Slocum
The Eagle 1925-11-08 Dubrovsky’s Father (uncredited)
Rough-Riding Romance 1919-08-24 The King
An Innocent Magdalene 1916-06-18 Col. Raleigh
Liberty Belles 1914-05-13 Jasper Pennyfeather
The Young Rajah 1922-11-11 Caleb
Fixing a Flirt 1912-11-01 Headwaiter
The Power of the Press 1928-10-30 Sports Writer
A Woman of Pleasure 1919-11-09 Wilberforce Pace
Cheerful Givers 1917-04-21 Rev. John Deady
Stage Struck 1917-02-25 The Judge
A Woman’s Awakening 1917-03-24 Judge Cotter
Souls Triumphant 1917-05-19 Josiah Vale
Home, Sweet Home 1914-05-16 James Smith – Mary’s Father
Merry-Go-Round 1923-07-01 Minister of War / Gisella’s Father
Her Kingdom of Dreams 1919-09-21 David Rutledge
Nomads of the North 1920-09-25 Old Roland
Accused 1925-12-03 Eagle Eye
Pioneer’s Gold 1924-12-01 Bob Hartley (as Spottswood Aitken)
Beauty and the Rogue 1918-01-29 Benjamin Wilson
At the End of the World 1921-08-14 Terence O’Day
Dangerous Love
The Two-Gun Man 1926-06-13 Dad Randall
Hay Foot, Straw Foot 1919-06-22 Thaddeus Briggs
Her Humble Ministry 1911-05-18 The Father
The White Circle 1920-08-22 Bernard Huddlestone
Beyond 1921-09-04 Rufus Southerne
Six Days 1923-09-09 Pere Jerome
The Unknown Wife 1921-03-14 Henry Wilburton
Who Cares? 1919-01-25 Mr. Ludlow
The Green-Eyed Devil