Ben Turpin(1869-1940)
- Actor
- Director
- Soundtrack
First of all, the cross-eyed comedian of silent days was not born that
way. Supposedly his right eye slipped out of alignment while playing
the role of the similarly afflicted Happy Hooligan in vaudeville and it
never adjusted. Ironically, it was this disability that would enhance
his comic value and make him a top name.
Ben Turpin was born in New Orleans in 1869, the son of a French-born
confectionery store owner. When 7 years old, his father moved to New
York's lower East Side. A wanderlust fellow by nature, Turpin lived the
life of a hobo in his early adult years. He started up his career by
chance while bumming in Chicago where he drew laughs at parties. An ad
in a newspaper looking for comedy acts caught his eye and he
successfully booked shows along with a partner. Going solo, he
performed on the burlesque circuit as well as under circus tents and
invariably entertained his audiences by doing tricks, vigorous
pratfalls and, of course, crossing his eyes. One of his more familiar
sight gags was a backwards tumble he called the "108." He happened upon
the Happy Hooligan persona while playing on the road and kept the
hapless character as part of routine for 17 years.
He started in films at age 38 in 1907, joining Essanay Studios shortly
after the company began operating in Chicago. He also became their
resident janitor for a spell. He stayed with the company for two years
but remained on the edges of obscurity. Appearing sporadically in
silent comedy shorts, he typically played dorky characters who always
did something wrong. His big break came when he returned to Essanay and
was introduced to Charles Chaplin, who immediately took to him and set him up
with Mack Sennett. By 1917 Sennett had turned Turpin into a top comedy draw.
With his trademark crossed eyes and thick mustache, he made scores of
slapstick films alongside the likes of Mabel Normand and 'Roscoe 'Fatty'
Arbuckle', among others. Most notable were his films that parodied
hit movies of the day such as his The Shriek of Araby (1923), in which his character
lampooned Rudolph Valentino. Turpin's true forte was impersonating the most
dashingly romantic and sophisticated stars of the day and turning them
into clumsy oafs.
Turpin retired from full time acting in 1924 to care for his ailing
wife Canadian comedy actress Carrie Turpin (nee LeMieux). After her death the
following year he returned but his marquee value had slipped
drastically. The advent of sound pretty much marked the end to his
special brand of physical comedy. He was only glimpsed from then on,
mostly in comic cameos for other top stars such as a bit as a plumber
with Laurel & Hardy in Saps at Sea (1940), his last. He died of heart disease that
same year.
way. Supposedly his right eye slipped out of alignment while playing
the role of the similarly afflicted Happy Hooligan in vaudeville and it
never adjusted. Ironically, it was this disability that would enhance
his comic value and make him a top name.
Ben Turpin was born in New Orleans in 1869, the son of a French-born
confectionery store owner. When 7 years old, his father moved to New
York's lower East Side. A wanderlust fellow by nature, Turpin lived the
life of a hobo in his early adult years. He started up his career by
chance while bumming in Chicago where he drew laughs at parties. An ad
in a newspaper looking for comedy acts caught his eye and he
successfully booked shows along with a partner. Going solo, he
performed on the burlesque circuit as well as under circus tents and
invariably entertained his audiences by doing tricks, vigorous
pratfalls and, of course, crossing his eyes. One of his more familiar
sight gags was a backwards tumble he called the "108." He happened upon
the Happy Hooligan persona while playing on the road and kept the
hapless character as part of routine for 17 years.
He started in films at age 38 in 1907, joining Essanay Studios shortly
after the company began operating in Chicago. He also became their
resident janitor for a spell. He stayed with the company for two years
but remained on the edges of obscurity. Appearing sporadically in
silent comedy shorts, he typically played dorky characters who always
did something wrong. His big break came when he returned to Essanay and
was introduced to Charles Chaplin, who immediately took to him and set him up
with Mack Sennett. By 1917 Sennett had turned Turpin into a top comedy draw.
With his trademark crossed eyes and thick mustache, he made scores of
slapstick films alongside the likes of Mabel Normand and 'Roscoe 'Fatty'
Arbuckle', among others. Most notable were his films that parodied
hit movies of the day such as his The Shriek of Araby (1923), in which his character
lampooned Rudolph Valentino. Turpin's true forte was impersonating the most
dashingly romantic and sophisticated stars of the day and turning them
into clumsy oafs.
Turpin retired from full time acting in 1924 to care for his ailing
wife Canadian comedy actress Carrie Turpin (nee LeMieux). After her death the
following year he returned but his marquee value had slipped
drastically. The advent of sound pretty much marked the end to his
special brand of physical comedy. He was only glimpsed from then on,
mostly in comic cameos for other top stars such as a bit as a plumber
with Laurel & Hardy in Saps at Sea (1940), his last. He died of heart disease that
same year.