Ben Alexander
Date of Birth: 26th May 1911
Details of Death: 5th July 1969
Country of Birth: USA
Biography
Born Nicholas Benton Alexander III, blue-eyed, blond-haired 'Ben' (as he was known) won the world's heart as 'the littlest brother' in the World War One epic "Hearts of the World" (1918). John Holmstrom described him as "a cuddlesome, strikingly Aryan infant, sleepy and sensual...gradually becoming more aquiline as adolescence approached." In 1923, he became the screen's second ever 'Penrod' (Wesley Barry had been the first a year before). In 1924 Germany's Filmwoche described him as "The freckled expounder and interpreter of a child's soul, to whom nice little Jackie Coogan and all the other studious Baedekers of child psychology must bow the knee." With the onset of puberty, however, the magic seemed to depart, and, although he continued to act through the late Twenties and Thirties, the roles became more secondary. In the late Thirties he became a radio presenter, and went back to Stanford to complete his education. Later on in life, he went into commerce and became quite a successful businessman. He served in World War Two in the Navy, after which he was lured into television, starring as Jack Webb's sidekick in the TV series "Dragnet" (1952-59).
Filmography
- Each Pearl a Tear (1916) (as Cupid)
- The Little American (1917) (as Bobby Moore)
- Hearts of the World (1918) (as The Boy's Littlest Brother)
- Little Orphant Annie (1918) (as Orphan)
- The Heart of Rachael (1918) (as Jim)
- The Lady of the Dugout (1918) (as The Lady's Son)
- The One Woman (1918) (as Boy)
- Josselyn's Wife (1919) (as Tommy Josselyn)
- Tangled Threads (1919) (as 'Sonny Boy' Wayne)
- The Better Wife (1919) (as Little Dick)
- The Hushed Hour (1919) (as Gondy)
- The Mayor of Filbert (1919) (as Carroll)
- The Turn in the Road (1919) (as Bob)
- The White Heather (1919) (as Donald Cameron)
- Blue Streak McCoy (1920)
- The Family Honor (1920) (as Little Ben Tucker)
- The Notorious Mrs. Sands (1920)
- The Triflers (1920) (as Rupert Holbrook)
- Through Eyes of Men (1920) (as Little Billy)
- The Heart Line (1921) (as The Child)
- Broadcasting (1922)
- In the Name of the Law (1922) (as Harry O'Hara, 9 years old)
- Wanted, a Story (1922)
- Boy of Mine (1923) (as Bill Latimer)
- Jealous Husbands (1923) (as Bobbie)
- Penrod and Sam (1923) (as Penrod Schofield)
- The Yankee Spirit (1923)
- A Self-Made Failure (1924) (as Sonny)
- Barnum Junior (1924)
- Dirty Hands (1924)
- Junior Partner (1924)
- Flaming Love (1925) (as Benny Keene)
- Pampered Youth (1925) (as George Minafer, as a Boy)
- The Shining Adventure (1925) (as Benny)
- Wildcat Willie (1925)
- Scotty of the Scouts (1926) (as Scotty Smith)
- The Highbinders (1926) (as Roy Marshall)
- Fighting for Fame (1927) (as Danny Ryan)
Page Last Modified: 30th August 2020
Page Added: 8th September 2017
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