Bert Roach

Chubby silent film comic Bert Roach began on the New York stage at the age of 17. In 1911, he headlined in the two-act musical farce Louisiana Lou and then spent several years in stock as a lead tenor. Two years later, he made his screen debut at Keystone in Mack Sennett's Fatty's Magic Pants (1914). From then on, he remained busily engaged as a utility player, tallying up an impressive 350-plus acting credits. Often sporting an oversized Germanic moustache, Bert was a natural for silent slapstick. He had recurring roles in several Alice Howell vehicles at Universal in the mid-20s. In early talkies, he was employed by both Al Christie and Hal Roach (no relation) where he often showed his penchant for playing inebriates. He also had a good line in looking scared out of his wits, which he demonstrated to effect in Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932). On rare occasions, he was featured support in A-grade product like San Francisco (1936) (Freddie Duane) or The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) (At