Harry Keaton

Harry Keaton

Actor

Active: 1920-1928

About Harry Keaton

Harry Keaton was a minor actor in American silent cinema during the early 1920s. He appeared in a few short films, most notably working in productions featuring his more famous relative, Buster Keaton. His career was brief and spanned only a few years, with his most documented work being in the comedy short 'Convict 13' from 1920. Unlike his celebrated family member who became one of cinema's greatest comedians, Harry Keaton's film presence was limited to small supporting roles and background appearances. His participation in 'The Cameraman' (1928) marked one of his final film credits before disappearing from the entertainment industry. Very little detailed information survives about his life beyond these brief film appearances, suggesting he may have been a family member who briefly participated in the Keaton family film productions before pursuing other interests.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in Buster Keaton's 'Convict 13' (1920)
  • Had a role in 'The Cameraman' (1928)

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • Convict 13 (1920)
  • The Cameraman (1928)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Buster Keaton

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Harry Keaton's cultural impact was minimal compared to his more famous Keaton relatives. His brief appearances in early silent comedians represent the era when family members often participated in film productions, but his contribution to cinema history remains largely undocumented and peripheral to the main Keaton legacy.

Lasting Legacy

Harry Keaton's legacy is primarily as a footnote in the history of the Keaton family's contributions to silent comedy. While Buster Keaton became one of cinema's most influential comedians, Harry's brief film career serves as a reminder of the many minor actors and family members who participated in early Hollywood productions but left little lasting mark on film history.

Who They Inspired

Due to his limited filmography and minor roles, Harry Keaton's influence on other actors or directors appears to be negligible. His work was overshadowed by the much more significant contributions of his Keaton family members to silent comedy and cinema history.

Off Screen

Very limited information is available about Harry Keaton's personal life. Given his appearance in Buster Keaton films and the shared surname, he was likely related to the famous Keaton comedy family, though the exact familial relationship is not clearly documented in film archives.

Did You Know?

  • Harry Keaton's filmography consists of only a few documented appearances between 1920-1928
  • He appeared in 'Convict 13' (1920), a Buster Keaton comedy short
  • His most notable credit was 'The Cameraman' (1928), one of Buster Keaton's most acclaimed features
  • The exact familial relationship to Buster Keaton is not clearly documented in film archives
  • His career spanned the transition period from the height of silent comedy to the early sound era
  • Unlike many Keaton family members, Harry did not pursue a long-term career in entertainment

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Harry Keaton?

Harry Keaton was a minor actor in American silent cinema during the 1920s who appeared in a few films, most notably working in productions featuring Buster Keaton. His career was brief and spanned only from 1920 to 1928.

What films is Harry Keaton best known for?

Harry Keaton is documented as appearing in 'Convict 13' (1920) and 'The Cameraman' (1928), both films associated with Buster Keaton. These represent his most notable and possibly only film credits.

Was Harry Keaton related to Buster Keaton?

While not definitively documented, Harry Keaton was likely related to Buster Keaton given their shared surname and appearances in the same films. However, the exact familial relationship remains unclear from available film archives.

Why is there so little information about Harry Keaton?

Harry Keaton had a very brief and minor career in silent films, appearing only in small supporting roles. Unlike his more famous Keaton relatives, he did not achieve significant recognition, resulting in limited documentation of his life and career.

Films

2 films