George A. Billings
George A. Billings (November 22, 1870 – April 15, 1934) was an American actor noted for his portrayals of Abraham Lincoln in films of the 1920s.
George A. Billings | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Billings in The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln (1924) | |
| Born | November 22, 1870 Preston, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 1934 (aged 63) |
| Occupation | Film, stage actor |
| Years active | 1924-1929 |
Biography
Born in Minnesota in 1870, Billings became known for playing President Lincoln commencing with the 1924 film The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln. He was hired for this film, despite a lack of prior acting experience, due to his close likeness to Lincoln.[1]
In 1927, he also toured the mid-western United States playing Lincoln in a two-man play with Henry Fonda. It started out successfully, but Fonda quit due to Billings' prodigious drinking.[2][3]
Filmography (all roles playing Abraham Lincoln)
- The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln (1924)
- Barbara Frietchie (1924)
- The Man Without a Country (1925)
- Hands Up! (1926)
- Lincoln (1929) (10-minute sound short)
References
- (10 February 1924). The Man Who Plays Lincoln, The New York Times
- (19 April 1934). George A. Billings - Stage Impersonator of Lincoln Dies in Hollywood at 63, The New York Times
- Reinhart, Mark S. Abraham Lincoln On Screen, pp. 9-11, 81-84, 103-04 (2008)
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