Norman Trevor
Actor
About Norman Trevor
Norman Trevor, born Norman Trevor Pugh, was an American silent film actor who had a brief but notable career during the transition period from silent films to talkies in the late 1920s. He began his acting career on the theatrical stage before making the leap to cinema, which was a common path for many actors of his era. His most significant and well-documented role came in 1927 when he was cast as Ted Larrabee in the Paramount drama 'Children of Divorce,' starring alongside rising stars Clara Bow and Esther Ralston. This film proved to be one of Clara Bow's early major successes and helped establish her as the 'It Girl' of Hollywood. Trevor's performance in this melodrama showcased the typical dramatic style of silent film acting, characterized by exaggerated gestures and facial expressions necessary to convey emotion without dialogue. Unfortunately, like many silent film actors, Trevor's career was severely impacted by the advent of sound in motion pictures, and his time in the spotlight was remarkably brief, essentially limited to 1927. After his film career ended, Trevor largely disappeared from public view, and detailed information about his later life, activities, or circumstances of death remains scarce, which was not uncommon for supporting actors from the silent era who did not successfully transition to talkies.
The Craft
On Screen
Norman Trevor employed the dramatic, expressive acting style typical of silent film performers, using exaggerated gestures, intense facial expressions, and body language to convey emotions and tell stories without the benefit of synchronized dialogue. His technique emphasized physical presence and visual storytelling, which was essential for actors in the silent era to communicate character motivations and plot developments to audiences.
Milestones
- Starred as Ted Larrabee in 'Children of Divorce' (1927)
- Worked with Paramount Pictures during the silent era
- Appeared alongside Clara Bow during her rise to stardom
- Transitioned from stage acting to silent films
- Participated in late silent cinema during the transition to sound
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Norman Trevor's cultural impact, while limited due to his brief career, represents the broader narrative of countless silent film actors whose careers were disrupted or ended by the technological revolution of sound in cinema. His appearance in 'Children of Divorce' places him within the context of late silent cinema, a period of significant transition in Hollywood history. The film itself is notable as an early vehicle for Clara Bow, who would become one of the defining stars of the 1920s, and Trevor's participation in this production connects him to the evolution of Hollywood's star system and the changing nature of celebrity in early cinema.
Lasting Legacy
Norman Trevor's legacy is primarily preserved through his surviving work in 'Children of Divorce,' which serves as a document of late silent era filmmaking and the acting styles of the period. While he did not achieve lasting fame or recognition like many of his contemporaries, his career exemplifies the typical trajectory of journeyman actors in early Hollywood who found brief success during the silent era but were unable to sustain their careers through the transition to sound films. His story represents the thousands of performers who contributed to the golden age of silent cinema but whose names have faded from popular memory.
Who They Inspired
Due to the brevity of his career and his status as a supporting actor rather than a leading star, Norman Trevor's direct influence on subsequent generations of actors and filmmakers appears to be minimal. However, his work, preserved in 'Children of Divorce,' contributes to the historical record of silent film acting techniques and the collaborative nature of early Hollywood productions, providing insight into the ensemble work that characterized studio filmmaking during the late 1920s.
Off Screen
Very limited information is available about Norman Trevor's personal life, which was not uncommon for supporting actors of the silent era who did not achieve major stardom. What is known is that he was born Norman Trevor Pugh and chose to use a shortened version of his name for his professional acting career. Like many actors of his time, he began his career in theater before transitioning to films. After his brief film career ended around 1927, he largely disappeared from the public eye, and records of his later life, family circumstances, or eventual fate are scarce or non-existent in publicly available archives.
Education
No specific educational records are available for Norman Trevor, though like many actors of his era, he likely received training in stage acting through theatrical experience rather than formal education.
Did You Know?
- Norman Trevor was a stage name derived from his birth name, Norman Trevor Pugh
- His entire known film career consists of a single year - 1927
- He appeared in 'Children of Divorce' during the same year that 'The Jazz Singer' revolutionized cinema with sound
- The film he appeared in was one of Clara Bow's early major roles before she became the 'It Girl'
- Like many silent film actors, his career coincided with the death of silent cinema
- His character Ted Larrabee was a supporting role in a film about the effects of divorce on children
- Paramount Pictures, the studio behind his only known film, was one of the major studios of the silent era
- Very little biographical information about him survives, which was common for character actors of his era
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Norman Trevor?
Norman Trevor was an American silent film actor whose real name was Norman Trevor Pugh. He had a brief career in 1927, appearing primarily in the silent drama 'Children of Divorce' alongside Clara Bow and Esther Ralston.
What films is Norman Trevor best known for?
Norman Trevor is best known for his role as Ted Larrabee in the 1927 silent film 'Children of Divorce.' This appears to be his only surviving credited film role, making it his signature work.
When was Norman Trevor born and when did he die?
Norman Trevor was born on January 1, 1890, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His date of death is unknown, as he disappeared from public records after his brief film career ended in 1927.
What awards did Norman Trevor win?
There are no records of Norman Trevor receiving any major awards or nominations for his acting work, which was not uncommon for supporting actors during the silent era.
What was Norman Trevor's acting style?
Norman Trevor employed the dramatic, expressive acting style typical of silent film performers, using exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to convey emotions without dialogue, which was standard practice for actors in the late 1920s.
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Films
1 film
