George Walsh

While recuperating in California from an injury in late 1914, he entered motion pictures (thanks to Raoul) when he was engaged as an extra for D. W. Griffith’s epic The Birth of a Nation (1915). Various bit parts followed, until a small role in The Fencing Master (1915) proved he was capable. Griffith’s confidence in him was such that he included George in an important scene in his masterpiece, Intolerance (1916). While a cast member he met his first wife, the beautiful actress Seena Owen. They had one child together, a daughter named Patricia.

Advertisement in trade journal Moving Picture World for Fox production Luck and Pluck (1919)

Walsh proved himself at Reliance/Majestic on the west coast and moved to the newly established Fox Film Corporation on the east coast, becoming a serious rival to Douglas Fairbanks there, as well as a national and international star. His output for the studio was characterized by daring stunts, fights, dramatic pursuits, and happy endings with his female co-stars. He also perfected his comedy timing and learned how to get laughs, though it was far from amusing when he quarreled with William Fox about his salary and departed towards the end of 1920. Two years of ups and downs followed which included Serenade (1921), alongside his sister-in-law, Miriam Cooper; varied personal appearances; vaudeville; an unpleasant divorce trial; and an 18-episode historical serial, entitled With Stanley in Africa (1922).

Promotional poster for With Stanley in Africa (1922)

A single-picture deal Vanity Fair (1923), at Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, led to a long contract and a quick shift from supporting characters to leads. He cemented his return to the big time with the role of Don Diego, opposite Mary Pickford, in Rosita (1923). (Global audiences saw "America’s Sweetheart" get her first grown-up kiss from Walsh in the Ernst Lubitsch-directed vehicle.) More spectacular still was the announcement that June Mathis had selected him to portray Judah Ben-Hur, in the planned picturization of the classic story of Ben-Hur, by Lew Wallace.

The word "fiasco" has been attached to Ben-Hur (1925). Early to mid-production was hampered by problems, on location in Italy and in Hollywood—particularly the sudden merger of Goldwyn with Metro, in spring of 1924, to form Metro-Goldwyn (soon afterwards Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer). Despite Mathis’ belief, a strong track record, and his physical suitability, George Walsh was unceremoniously cast aside (in favor of Ramon Novarro), as were June Mathis herself and the director, Charles Brabin. Following the devastating news—from co-star and friend Francis X. Bushman—George was soon on his way back to the United States. He would remain vexed that newly formed MGM did little to combat rumors he had not been up to standard.

A pre-production image of Walsh in Ben-Hur (1925) before he was replaced by Ramon Novarro.

Despite the loss of the part of a lifetime, George Walsh’s following enabled him to secure a deal with I. E. Chadwick’s independent company (Lionel Barrymore's employer at the time). From 1925–26 he was cast in a series of Fox-like entertainments, most of which were well-received and popular. However, broken promises prompted Walsh’s departure for the lower profile, but industrious, Excellent Pictures Corporation. While there, he appeared in several economically produced silents, including The Kick-Off (1926), Broadway Drifter (1927), His Rise to Fame (1927), and Inspiration (1928).