Larry Westford

Actor

Active: 1915-1915

About Larry Westford

Larry Westford was an American actor who appeared during the silent film era, with his only known screen credit being the 1915 comedy short 'Pool Sharks.' This film was particularly significant as it marked the screen debut of the legendary Buster Keaton, who would become one of the greatest comedians in cinema history. Westford's career appears to have been extremely brief, spanning only the year 1915, suggesting he may have been a bit player or extra who did not pursue acting as a long-term profession. The lack of additional film credits or biographical information indicates that Westford was likely one of the many anonymous performers who appeared in early cinema but did not achieve lasting recognition. His appearance in 'Pool Sharks' represents his entire known film legacy, making him a footnote in the broader story of early American comedy cinema.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'Pool Sharks' (1915), Buster Keaton's film debut

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • Pool Sharks (1915)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Larry Westford's cultural impact is minimal due to his extremely brief film career, though his appearance in 'Pool Sharks' connects him historically to Buster Keaton's cinematic debut and the early development of American film comedy.

Lasting Legacy

Westford's legacy is limited to his single film appearance in 1915, making him part of the vast anonymous workforce of early cinema performers who contributed to the foundation of Hollywood but whose individual stories have been lost to time.

Who They Inspired

There is no documented evidence of Larry Westford influencing other performers or filmmakers, given his brief and undocumented career in the film industry.

Off Screen

Very little is known about Larry Westford's personal life, as he appears to have had only a brief involvement in the film industry with no documented biographical information available.

Did You Know?

  • Pool Sharks (1915) was Buster Keaton's first-ever film appearance
  • The film was a comedy short produced by the Keystone Film Company style
  • Westford's role in the film is not documented in surviving film credits
  • Many actors from this period appeared uncredited in films
  • Silent era actors often used stage names that made tracking their careers difficult
  • The film was directed by Charles Parrott (later known as Charley Chase)
  • Pool Sharks was approximately 10 minutes in length
  • The film showcased early billiards-themed comedy routines

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Larry Westford?

Larry Westford was an American actor from the silent film era who appeared in only one known film, 'Pool Sharks' (1915), which was notable as Buster Keaton's screen debut.

What films is Larry Westford best known for?

Westford is known only for his appearance in the 1915 comedy short 'Pool Sharks,' which appears to be his sole film credit.

When was Larry Westford born and when did he die?

Larry Westford's birth and death dates are not documented in available historical records, reflecting the limited information available about many early film performers.

What awards did Larry Westford win?

There are no recorded awards or nominations for Larry Westford, consistent with his brief and minor role in early cinema.

What was Larry Westford's acting style?

Due to the lack of surviving detailed information about his performance and the absence of other film credits, Westford's specific acting style cannot be determined from available sources.

Is Larry Westford related to any other famous actors?

There is no documented evidence connecting Larry Westford to other notable figures in cinema history.

Why is there so little information about Larry Westford?

The scarcity of information about Westford is typical of many minor performers from the silent era, who often appeared uncredited and left few biographical traces in historical records.

Films

1 film