Reid Hamilton

Actor

Active: 1918

About Reid Hamilton

Reid Hamilton was an American actor who worked during the silent film era, with his only known screen appearance being in the 1918 drama 'The Forbidden City.' His career appears to have been exceptionally brief, spanning only the year 1918, making him one of the many transient performers who passed through Hollywood during its formative years. The film he appeared in was a notable production starring Norma Talmadge and directed by Sidney Franklin, set against an exotic backdrop of imperial China. Like many actors of this period, Hamilton's contribution to cinema was minimal but representative of the vast ensemble casts that silent films required. His brief career trajectory suggests he may have been either a background player, a character actor who found limited opportunities, or someone who left the industry shortly after entering it. The lack of additional film credits or biographical information indicates he did not achieve lasting recognition or establish a significant presence in early Hollywood.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Forbidden City' (1918)

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • The Forbidden City (1918)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Reid Hamilton's cultural impact was minimal, as his career consisted of only one known film appearance during the silent era. He represents the thousands of anonymous actors who contributed to early cinema but whose names have been largely lost to history. His brief appearance in 'The Forbidden City' places him within the context of Hollywood's transition from short films to feature-length productions during World War I.

Lasting Legacy

Reid Hamilton's legacy is essentially that of a footnote in silent film history, representing the transient nature of early Hollywood careers. His single known film credit serves as a reminder of the vast number of performers who passed through the industry without achieving lasting recognition. Like many actors of his era, his contribution exists primarily in film archives and databases rather than in public memory.

Who They Inspired

Given his extremely brief and limited career, Reid Hamilton does not appear to have had any significant influence on other actors or filmmakers. His career was too short and obscure to have left a lasting impact on the craft of acting or the development of cinema.

Off Screen

Very little information is available about Reid Hamilton's personal life, which is typical for minor actors from the silent era who did not achieve lasting fame or recognition.

Did You Know?

  • Reid Hamilton's entire known film career consists of just one movie in 1918
  • 'The Forbidden City' was a major production starring Norma Talmadge, one of the biggest stars of the silent era
  • The film was directed by Sidney Franklin, who would later become a prominent director at MGM
  • Hamilton is one of many actors from the silent era whose biographical details have been lost to time
  • His career spanned only during World War I, a period when the film industry was rapidly expanding
  • No photographs or additional film credits of Hamilton are readily available in modern archives

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Reid Hamilton?

Reid Hamilton was an American actor from the silent film era who appeared in only one known film, 'The Forbidden City' (1918). His career was exceptionally brief, spanning just the year 1918, and very little biographical information about him survives today.

What films is Reid Hamilton best known for?

Reid Hamilton is known for his single film appearance in 'The Forbidden City' (1918), a silent drama starring Norma Talmadge and directed by Sidney Franklin. This appears to be his only credited role in his brief acting career.

When was Reid Hamilton born and when did he die?

The birth and death dates of Reid Hamilton are not known, which is common for minor actors from the silent era who did not achieve lasting fame. His only known film work was in 1918.

What awards did Reid Hamilton win?

Reid Hamilton did not receive any known awards or nominations during his brief acting career. The Academy Awards were not established until 1929, after his career had ended.

What was Reid Hamilton's acting style?

There is no available information about Reid Hamilton's specific acting style, as his career consisted of only one film appearance and no reviews or detailed descriptions of his performance have survived.

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Films

1 film