Sid Jordan
Actor
About Sid Jordan
Sid Jordan was a prolific American character actor who flourished during the silent film era, particularly in Westerns. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he began his film career around 1913 and quickly established himself as a reliable supporting player in the burgeoning Hollywood studio system. Jordan appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, working extensively with Western stars like Tom Mix and Hoot Gibson. His most productive period was the 1920s, where he could be seen in everything from short subjects to feature-length productions. Jordan possessed a distinctive screen presence that made him ideal for playing villains, henchmen, or comic relief in Western narratives. Like many silent era actors, his career waned with the advent of sound films, and he made his final screen appearances in the early 1930s. After retiring from acting, he lived a relatively quiet life away from the entertainment industry until his death in 1970.
The Craft
On Screen
Jordan embodied the typical silent era character actor style with broad, expressive gestures and exaggerated facial expressions necessary to convey emotion without dialogue. His physical presence and ability to quickly establish character type made him valuable in fast-paced productions. In Westerns particularly, he developed a repertoire of villainous mannerisms and comic timing that audiences of the era recognized and appreciated.
Milestones
- Appeared in over 200 films during silent era
- Frequent collaborator with Western star Tom Mix
- Prolific character actor in Fox Film Corporation Westerns
- Transitioned from short subjects to feature films
- Survived the transition from silent films to early talkies
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Sid Jordan represents the legion of hardworking character actors who formed the backbone of silent era cinema, particularly in the Western genre that dominated American popular culture of the 1910s and 1920s. While never achieving stardom himself, his consistent presence in hundreds of films contributed to the visual language and storytelling conventions of early American cinema. His work with major Western stars helped establish the archetypal characters and conflicts that would define the genre for decades. Jordan's career trajectory also illustrates the precarious nature of silent era stardom, as even prolific actors found themselves marginalized by the coming of sound and changing industry dynamics.
Lasting Legacy
Sid Jordan's legacy lies in his contribution to the foundation of American cinema as one of the thousands of dedicated character actors who populated the films of the silent era. His extensive filmography provides a valuable record of the evolution of Western cinema and the studio system that dominated Hollywood during its formative years. While largely forgotten by mainstream film history, Jordan's work survives in the many silent films that have been preserved and restored, offering modern audiences a glimpse into the craft and artistry of early film performance. His career serves as a testament to the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the essential role played by supporting actors in creating memorable cinema.
Who They Inspired
As a character actor rather than a star, Sid Jordan's direct influence on subsequent performers is difficult to trace, but his work contributed to the development of screen acting techniques and genre conventions that would influence generations of Western actors. His ability to quickly establish character types and work efficiently in the fast-paced production environment of silent era studios set a standard for professional character acting that continues in the industry today.
Off Screen
Sid Jordan married fellow actress Edith Stayman in 1916, and they remained together until her death in 1943. The couple had two children together. After his film career ended, Jordan largely withdrew from public life and focused on his family. He lived his later years in California, maintaining connections with some former colleagues from the silent era but generally avoiding the film industry spotlight.
Education
Limited formal education; likely self-taught in acting craft through practical experience in early film industry
Family
- Edith Stayman (1916-1943)
Did You Know?
- Appeared in over 200 films during his 19-year career
- Often played the villain to Tom Mix's heroic characters
- Was one of the most recognizable faces in silent Westerns despite never being a leading man
- His career spanned the entire golden age of silent Western cinema
- Managed to make the transition to sound films, appearing in a few early talkies
- Worked with virtually every major Western star of the silent era
- His physical appearance - tall and lanky with a distinctive mustache - made him easily recognizable to audiences
- Like many silent era actors, his exact filmography is incomplete due to lost films and poor record-keeping
- Retired from acting before the full implementation of the Hollywood studio code
- Lived to see the revival of interest in silent films in the 1960s
In Their Own Words
No widely documented quotes from Sid Jordan, as was common for character actors of his era who rarely gave interviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sid Jordan?
Sid Jordan was a prolific American character actor who appeared in over 200 films during the silent era, primarily in Westerns. He worked frequently with stars like Tom Mix and was known for playing villains and supporting characters in numerous films from the 1910s through the early 1930s.
What films is Sid Jordan best known for?
Jordan is best known for his appearances in The Texan (1920), Sky High (1922), and The Johnstown Flood (1926), as well as his many collaborations with Tom Mix in Western films throughout the 1920s.
When was Sid Jordan born and when did he die?
Sid Jordan was born on August 12, 1889, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and died on September 30, 1970, at the age of 81.
What awards did Sid Jordan win?
Sid Jordan did not receive any major awards or nominations during his career, which was typical for character actors of the silent era who were rarely recognized by formal award institutions.
What was Sid Jordan's acting style?
Jordan employed the typical silent era acting style with broad gestures and expressive facial features to convey emotion without dialogue. He specialized in creating memorable villain and supporting character types in Western films.
How many films did Sid Jordan appear in?
Sid Jordan appeared in over 200 films during his career, though some may be lost due to the deterioration of silent era film stock and incomplete studio records.
Did Sid Jordan make the transition to sound films?
Yes, Jordan appeared in a few early sound films in the late 1920s and early 1930s, but like many silent era actors, his career declined significantly with the advent of talking pictures.
Who did Sid Jordan frequently work with?
Jordan worked frequently with Western stars Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, and Harry Carey, appearing in many of their films throughout the 1920s as a reliable supporting player and villain.
Learn More
Films
3 films
