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Bert Woodruff

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Bert Woodruff
Born
William Herbert Woodruff

(1856-04-29)April 29, 1856
Peoria, Illinois, US
DiedJune 14, 1934(1934-06-14) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, US
Years active1916–1931

William Herbert "Bert" Woodruff (April 29, 1856[1] – June 14, 1934[2]) was an American actor of the silent era.

Woodruff was born in Peoria, Illinois,[3] and was the son of Mrs. Hannah Woodruff.[4] He performed on stage before he began acting on film,[3] debuting in 1876 as part of the Woodruff and West song-and-dance act. His performances included blackface comedy and Irish specialties. In 1882, he became part of the Adelphi Theater stock company in Peoria, where he worked for seven years.[citation needed]

In 1898, Woodruff moved into management, opening a vaudeville theater in Peoria and managing it until 1904. From there he went to Redondo Beach, California, where he opened the city's first theater for films.[1] He appeared in more than 60 films between 1916 and 1931. He remains perhaps best-known for playing the grandfather in the 1928 Harold Lloyd comedy Speedy.

Woodruff died of nephritis in Hollywood, California, aged 78.[3]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bert Woodruff Quaint Character of Screen". Lansing State Journal. May 26, 1923. p. 6. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Death Index, 1905-1939 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: California Department of Health and Welfare. California Vital Records-Vitalsearch (www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com). The Vitalsearch Company Worldwide, Inc., Pleasanton, California.
  3. ^ a b c "William H. Woodruff". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 16, 1934. p. 15. ProQuest 100918124. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ "Mrs. Hannah Woodruff". The New York Times. May 4, 1938. p. 23. ProQuest 102567590. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via ProQuest.
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