William Wolbert
Actor
About William Wolbert
William Wolbert was a minor actor during the silent film era who appeared in only one known film production. His career was exceptionally brief, spanning just the year 1916 when he had a role in 'The Dumb Girl of Portici,' an ambitious silent film adaptation of Daniel Auber's opera 'La Muette de Portici.' This film was notable for starring the legendary Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova in her only major film role and was directed by the pioneering husband-wife team of Phillips Smalley and Lois Weber. Wolbert's part in this production was likely small, as he does not appear to have been listed among the principal cast members. After this single film credit, there is no evidence of Wolbert continuing in the motion picture industry, suggesting he may have been a background actor or someone who tried acting briefly before pursuing other career paths. The lack of additional film credits or biographical information indicates he was not part of the Hollywood establishment and may have been a local hire or temporary performer rather than a professional actor seeking a career in cinema.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Dumb Girl of Portici' (1916)
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
William Wolbert's cultural impact is minimal due to his extremely brief and limited involvement in the film industry. As a minor performer in only one silent film, his contribution to cinema history is primarily as a representative of the many anonymous or little-known actors who populated early film productions. His appearance in 'The Dumb Girl of Portici' places him within the context of an important early American film that attempted to bring high art (opera and ballet) to the emerging medium of cinema, though his specific role was likely peripheral to the film's artistic ambitions.
Lasting Legacy
William Wolbert's legacy is essentially non-existent in film history, as he represents one of the countless minor performers who appeared briefly in early cinema without achieving lasting recognition or influence. His single film credit serves as a reminder of the vast number of anonymous contributors to early film productions who have been lost to history. While 'The Dumb Girl of Portici' itself is historically significant as Anna Pavlova's only major film and an example of early artistic cinema, Wolbert's role in this legacy is minimal and undocumented.
Who They Inspired
Given his extremely limited film career, William Wolbert had no discernible influence on other actors or directors. He appears to have been a peripheral figure in the film industry who did not establish any artistic relationships or contribute to the development of cinematic techniques or performance styles that would have influenced subsequent generations of filmmakers.
Off Screen
Very little is known about William Wolbert's personal life, as he appears to have been a minor performer with only one documented film credit. The lack of biographical information suggests he was not a public figure beyond his brief appearance in silent film.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in only one known film during his entire career
- His only film credit was in 1916, during the silent era
- Worked on 'The Dumb Girl of Portici,' which starred legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova
- The film he appeared in was directed by pioneering female director Lois Weber
- His career spanned exactly one year, making him one of the briefest careers in film history
- He was not listed among the principal cast members of his only film
- No biographical details about his life outside of this single film role are documented
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was William Wolbert?
William Wolbert was a minor actor from the silent film era who appeared in only one known film, 'The Dumb Girl of Portici' in 1916. His career was exceptionally brief, lasting just that single year, and very little biographical information about him exists.
What films is William Wolbert best known for?
William Wolbert is known for only one film: 'The Dumb Girl of Portici' (1916), a silent film adaptation of an opera that starred the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. This appears to be his sole film credit.
When was William Wolbert born and when did he die?
No birth or death dates are documented for William Wolbert, which is not uncommon for minor performers from the silent era who had very brief careers and were not public figures.
What awards did William Wolbert win?
William Wolbert did not receive any known awards or nominations during his brief film career, which consisted of only one minor role in 1916.
What was William Wolbert's acting style?
There is no documented information about William Wolbert's acting style, as his career was too brief and his role too minor to have been critically analyzed or preserved in film history.
Why is William Wolbert mentioned in film history?
William Wolbert is primarily mentioned in film databases and credits due to his appearance in 'The Dumb Girl of Portici,' which is historically significant as Anna Pavlova's only major film role and an example of early artistic cinema.
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Films
1 film
