Bert Appling
Actor
About Bert Appling
Bert Appling was a silent film actor who had a brief but notable career during the late 1910s and early 1920s. His work spanned a crucial period in American cinema when the industry was transitioning from short films to feature-length productions. Appling appeared in three significant films between 1918 and 1920, working alongside some of the era's most influential filmmakers. His most notable appearance was in Charlie Chaplin's acclaimed comedy 'A Dog's Life' (1918), which showcased his ability to work with comedy legends. He also appeared in 'The End of the Game' (1919) and John Ford's early feature 'Just Pals' (1920), demonstrating his versatility across different genres. Despite his limited filmography, Appling's participation in these important early films places him within the foundational period of Hollywood cinema. Like many character actors of the silent era, his career appears to have been brief, possibly ending with the transition to sound pictures or due to other factors common to actors of his generation.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in Charlie Chaplin's 'A Dog's Life' (1918)
- Worked in John Ford's early feature 'Just Pals' (1920)
- Participated in the transition era of silent cinema
- Appeared in three films across different genres
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
As a minor actor in the silent era, Bert Appling's cultural impact was limited but significant in the context of early Hollywood history. His appearance in 'A Dog's Life' places him within the Charlie Chaplin filmography, one of the most important bodies of work in cinema history. The film itself was a critical and commercial success that helped establish Chaplin's reputation as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Appling's participation in John Ford's 'Just Pals' also connects him to the early career of one of America's most revered directors. While his individual contributions may have been small, actors like Appling formed the essential supporting infrastructure that allowed silent films to flourish and helped establish the studio system that would dominate Hollywood for decades.
Lasting Legacy
Bert Appling's legacy is that of a representative figure from the golden age of silent cinema - a working actor who contributed to important films during a pivotal era in film history. His brief filmography serves as a reminder of the countless actors who populated early films but whose names have been largely lost to time. The preservation of his film credits in 'A Dog's Life' and 'Just Pals' ensures his place in cinema history, however minor his roles may have been. His story reflects the transient nature of fame in early Hollywood and the vast number of performers who contributed to the art form without achieving lasting celebrity status.
Who They Inspired
Given his brief career and limited filmography, there is no documented evidence of Bert Appling's direct influence on other actors or filmmakers. However, his participation in historically significant films means he was part of the creative environment that influenced generations of filmmakers who studied and were inspired by the works of Chaplin and Ford.
Off Screen
Very little personal information is available about Bert Appling, which was common for many supporting actors and bit players from the silent era who were not major stars.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in only three known films during his entire career
- Worked with two of cinema's greatest directors: Charlie Chaplin and John Ford
- His entire known filmography spans just three years (1918-1920)
- Like many silent era supporting actors, very little biographical information survives
- His film 'A Dog's Life' was added to the National Film Registry in 1997
- All three of his known films are now considered historically significant
- His career ended before the transition to sound pictures in the late 1920s
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bert Appling?
Bert Appling was a silent film actor active between 1918-1920 who appeared in three films, including Charlie Chaplin's 'A Dog's Life' and John Ford's 'Just Pals'. He was a supporting actor during the pivotal early years of American cinema.
What films is Bert Appling best known for?
Bert Appling is best known for his appearances in 'A Dog's Life' (1918), 'The End of the Game' (1919), and 'Just Pals' (1920). The first and third films are particularly notable for featuring Charlie Chaplin and John Ford respectively.
When was Bert Appling born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, Bert Appling's birth and death dates are not documented in available historical records, which was common for many supporting actors from the silent era.
What awards did Bert Appling win?
There are no records of Bert Appling receiving any major awards or nominations during his brief career in the silent film industry.
What was Bert Appling's acting style?
Due to the limited documentation of his work and the fact that he was a supporting actor in only three films, specific details about Bert Appling's acting style are not available in historical records.
Learn More
Films
3 films
