Claude Fielding

Actor

Active: 1926

About Claude Fielding

Claude Fielding was an American actor who appeared during the silent film era, with his only known credited role being in the 1926 horror film 'The Magician.' His career appears to have been extremely brief, spanning only the year 1926, suggesting he may have been a bit player or character actor who did not transition to longer-term success in Hollywood. The Magician, directed by Rex Ingram and produced by MGM, was based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel and was one of the more sophisticated horror productions of its time. Fielding's specific role in the film is not well-documented in surviving film records, which was common for many supporting actors of the silent era who often went uncredited or received minimal recognition. Like many actors of his generation, his career may have been cut short by the transition to sound films in the late 1920s, which ended the careers of numerous silent era performers. Very little biographical information survives about Claude Fielding, making him one of the many obscure figures from Hollywood's formative years whose contributions to cinema have been largely lost to history.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Magician' (1926) directed by Rex Ingram

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • The Magician (1926)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Rex Ingram (director)

Studios

  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Claude Fielding's cultural impact is minimal due to his extremely brief career in the film industry. As a minor actor who appeared in only one known film during the silent era, he represents the countless anonymous performers who contributed to Hollywood's early output but whose names have been largely forgotten by film history. His participation in 'The Magician' (1926), however technically small, places him within the context of early horror cinema and the sophisticated productions of the late silent period.

Lasting Legacy

Claude Fielding's legacy is primarily that of an obscure figure from Hollywood's silent era, representing the thousands of actors who passed through the studio system without achieving lasting recognition. His only known film credit in 'The Magician' (1926) ensures he has at least a minimal place in film history databases, though detailed information about his life and career remains elusive. He serves as a reminder of the transient nature of early Hollywood careers and the many performers whose contributions to cinema have been lost to time.

Who They Inspired

Due to the brevity and obscurity of Claude Fielding's career, there is no documented evidence of his influence on other actors or filmmakers. As a minor player in only one known production, he likely did not have the opportunity to significantly impact the industry or mentor others in the craft.

Off Screen

Very little is known about Claude Fielding's personal life, as was common for many bit players and supporting actors from the silent era whose careers were brief and who did not achieve lasting fame.

Did You Know?

  • Claude Fielding's entire known film career spanned only one year: 1926
  • His only known film appearance was in the MGM horror production 'The Magician'
  • The Magician (1926) was based on a novel by W. Somerset Maugham
  • The film he appeared in was directed by renowned silent era director Rex Ingram
  • Like many silent era actors with brief careers, his personal details remain undocumented
  • He represents the countless anonymous performers who populated early Hollywood films
  • The transition to sound films in the late 1920s likely ended many careers like his

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Claude Fielding?

Claude Fielding was an American actor from the silent film era who had an extremely brief career, appearing in only one known film, 'The Magician' (1926). Very little biographical information survives about him, making him one of the many obscure figures from early Hollywood.

What films is Claude Fielding best known for?

Claude Fielding is known for only one film: 'The Magician' (1926), a horror film directed by Rex Ingram and produced by MGM, based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel. This appears to be his sole credited film role.

When was Claude Fielding born and when did he die?

Claude Fielding's birth and death dates are not documented in available historical records, which was common for many minor actors from the silent era whose careers were brief and who did not achieve lasting fame.

What awards did Claude Fielding win?

There are no records of Claude Fielding receiving any awards or nominations for his work in film. His brief career and minor status in the industry meant he was not recognized with formal honors.

What was Claude Fielding's acting style?

Due to the lack of surviving documentation about Claude Fielding's performances and career, his specific acting style and techniques are not known. As a minor actor in the silent era, he would have employed the typical dramatic gestures and facial expressions characteristic of silent film acting.

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Films

1 film