- Born
- Died
- Birth nameBernard Turpin
- Height5′ 4″ (1.63 m)
- 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.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net - Bernard 'Ben' Turpin began working in Vaudeville in the early 20's. He had a distinctive small frame, a bush moustache and crossed eyes. His eyes crossed after an accident but instead of looking on the negative side he felt positive about the situation and came to realise that his affliction added greatly to his comedic value. His work in vaudeville and burlesque showcased his pratfall-laden comedy .His first film was 'Mr Flip'in 1907 for the Essanay Studios in Chicago where he received his first pie in the face. Within a short time he was a comedic celebrity. In 1917 he joined Mack Sennett's studio in Hollywood and began appearing with rugged characters twice his size. The more ridiculous the situation the funnier he was. he often spoofed major actors of the day such as Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks. He became one of filmdoms most popular comics with his success in silent films lasting over 12 years but in 1929 when the Mack Sennett Studios began turning to sound his kind of comedy became less in demand. During this period he made films for the low budget Weiss Brothers Studio appearing in short comedies for about 2 years. When sound came he more or less retired. Having invested in real estate he'd become quite wealthy. He began taking small comical roles in films for $1,000 per appearance. His final role was in Keystone Hotel for Warner Bros in 1935, a short subject compilation of footage of the old time comedians. His final screen appearance was in the Laurel and Hardy film 'Saps at Sea' (1940) as a cross eyed plumber.- IMDb Mini Biography By: tonyman5
- SpousesBabette Elizabeth Dietz(July 8, 1926 - July 1, 1940) (his death)Carrie Turpin(February 18, 1907 - October 3, 1925) (her death)Norma Koch(February 24, 1898 - March 26, 1904) (her death)
- Crossed eyes
- Turpin had a reputation as being somewhat argumentative with directors. One day while he was making a film at Sennett Studios, he was giving one director quite a bit of trouble. Exasperated, the director said, "One more word from you, Ben, and I'll uncross your eyes!" (it was commonly believed at the time that a sharp blow to the head could cause crossed eyes to uncross). Terrified of losing his claim to fame, Turpin was compliant for the rest of the day. Mack Sennett himself heard the exchange, and from then on whenever Turpin started acting up on the set, Sennett would make the same threat, and Turpin would immediately behave himself.
- He invented a Hollywood tradition by being the first actor to receive a pie in his face.
- He was not only a popular comedian, but his shrewd major investments in real estate made him one of the richest men in Hollywood.
- Turpin was very guarded and insecure, and he had few friends. He kept his furniture covered with white sheets which were taken off on those rare occasions when he had guests.
- The 300 mourners at Turpin's 1940 funeral read like a "Who's Who" of silent comedy. Included were Buster Keaton, Hank Mann, Billy Bevan, Del Lord, Andy Clyde, James Finlayson, Al St. John, Charles Murray, Dot Farley, etc. Former mentor Charles Chaplin sent a seven foot spray of red roses.
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