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Mack Swain (born Moroni Swain; February 16, 1876 – August 25, 1935) was a prolific early United States film actor, who appeared in many of Mack Sennett’s comedies at Keystone Studios, including the Keystone Cops series. He also appeared in major features by Charlie Chaplin and starred in both the world's first feature length comedy and first film to feature a "movie-within-a-movie" premise.
His first foray into silent film began at Keystone Studios under Mack Sennett. His first dressing room was shared with Roscoe Arbuckle. Shortly after arriving at Keystone, Charlie Chaplin too joined the studio and the two quickly teamed up. Swain would later recall that Sennett initially saw him and Chaplin as a burden, and encouraged the two to work together. These early films, such as Laughing Gas (1914) and Mabel's Married Life (1914), would forge a friendship between the two that would endure until Swain's death. Chaplin would later state that his idea for his infamous character, The Tramp, came from him rummaging through Swain's and Arbuckle's dressing room; the baggy clothes from Arbuckle and the iconic mustache from one of Swain's own fake mustaches. Swain and Chaplin would eventually star in the world's first feature-length comedy, Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914).
Chaplin soon left Keystone, and Swain paired up with Chester Conklin to make a series of . Swain played "Ambrose" and Conklin the grand mustachioed "Walrus" in several films, including The Battle of Ambrose and Walrus and Love, Speed and Thrills, both made in 1915. Besides these comedies, the two appeared together in a variety of other films, 26 all told, and they also appeared separately and/or together in films starring Mabel Normand, Charles Chaplin, Roscoe Arbuckle and most of the rest of the roster of Keystone players. Swain later took his Ambrose character with him to the L-KO Kompany.
Having already worked with Charles Chaplin at Keystone, Swain began working with Chaplin again at First National in 1921, appearing in The Idle Class, Pay Day, and The Pilgrim. He is also remembered for his large supporting role as Big Jim McKay in the 1925 film The Gold Rush, for United Artists, written by and starring Chaplin.
It is rumored that an accident sustained in an early Keystone Cops skit involving Roscoe Arbuckle kicking him in the stomach eventually led to his death.
==Images==
Personal life
Swain was married to actress Cora King.
Death
Swain died on a train bound from Chicago to Hollywood in August 25, 1935, following an illness that lasted only a few hours. He was buried in Tacoma, Washington.
Legacy
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Swain received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1500 Vine Street.
Partial filmography
Short Short Short Short 1916 A Movie Star Handsome Jack Short 1917 Lost- A Cook Cook Short, Uncredited Short Uncredited Uncredited Uncredited Uncredited (final film role)
External links
Categories: 1876 Births, 1935 Deaths, Male Actors From Salt Lake City, American Male Film Actors, American Male Silent Film Actors, American Male Comedians, American Vaudeville Performers, Silent Film Comedians, 20th-century American Male Actors, Articles Containing Video Clips, 20th-century American Comedians, Comedians From Utah, American Slapstick Comedians
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