Roland Drew
Actor
About Roland Drew
Roland Drew was an American actor who appeared during the transition period from silent films to early talkies in Hollywood. His known film career was remarkably brief, consisting primarily of his role in the 1928 silent drama 'Ramona,' directed by Edwin Carewe and starring Dolores del Río. In this film adaptation of Helen Hunt Jackson's novel, Drew played a supporting role alongside the leading cast, which included Warner Baxter and Dolores del Río in the title role. The film was one of several adaptations of the popular novel and was notable for its romantic depiction of Spanish California. Unfortunately, like many actors from this transitional period in cinema history, Drew's career appears to have been limited to this single film credit, and detailed information about his broader career or other potential work remains scarce. His brief appearance in film history represents the countless actors who participated in Hollywood's golden era but whose careers were short-lived or undocumented.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in the 1928 silent film 'Ramona' directed by Edwin Carewe
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Roland Drew's contribution to cinema history, while minimal in scope, represents the vast network of actors who participated in Hollywood's silent era but whose careers were brief or undocumented. His appearance in 'Ramona' (1928) places him within the context of early Hollywood's attempts to adapt classic American literature for the screen, working alongside established stars of the era. The film itself was part of a broader trend in 1920s cinema that romanticized California's Spanish colonial past and contributed to the cultural mythology of the American West.
Lasting Legacy
As an actor with only one known film credit, Roland Drew's legacy is primarily that of representing the countless supporting players and character actors who contributed to the richness of silent cinema but whose names have largely been lost to film history. His appearance in 'Ramona' (1928) ensures his place in film databases and cinema archives, serving as a reminder of the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the many unsung contributors to classic cinema.
Who They Inspired
Given the brevity of Roland Drew's documented film career, there is no substantial evidence of direct influence on other actors or filmmakers. His role in 'Ramona' places him within the broader context of silent era cinema, but his limited screen time and single known credit suggest his influence was primarily as a supporting participant rather than as a creative force shaping the medium.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about Roland Drew's personal life, as his film career was extremely brief and he appears to have been a minor character actor during the silent era. The lack of extensive records about his life beyond his single film credit suggests he may have pursued other career paths outside of the entertainment industry or worked primarily in theater, which was less thoroughly documented than film during this period.
Did You Know?
- Roland Drew's only known film credit is the 1928 silent drama 'Ramona'
- 'Ramona' was one of several film adaptations of Helen Hunt Jackson's popular 1884 novel
- The film was directed by Edwin Carewe, who was known for his work with ethnic-themed stories
- The 1928 version of 'Ramona' starred Dolores del Río, one of the first Latin American stars to achieve success in Hollywood
- Roland Drew's career spanned the transition period between silent films and early talkies
- Like many character actors of the silent era, Drew's personal details and career history remain largely undocumented
- The film 'Ramona' was considered a significant production for its time, with elaborate sets and costumes depicting Spanish California
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Roland Drew?
Roland Drew was an American actor active during the silent film era, known primarily for his appearance in the 1928 film 'Ramona.' His documented film career was extremely brief, consisting of this single known credit, making him one of the many minor actors from Hollywood's early period whose careers were short-lived.
What films is Roland Drew best known for?
Roland Drew is known exclusively for his role in the 1928 silent film 'Ramona,' directed by Edwin Carewe and starring Dolores del Río and Warner Baxter. This appears to be his only documented film appearance.
When was Roland Drew born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Roland Drew are not documented in available film archives or historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from the silent era whose careers were brief.
What awards did Roland Drew win?
There are no documented awards or nominations for Roland Drew, which is consistent with his status as a minor supporting actor with only one known film credit during the silent era.
What was Roland Drew's acting style?
Due to the limited documentation of Roland Drew's career and the fact that his only known film 'Ramona' is a silent movie, specific details about his acting style are not available. He would have worked within the dramatic conventions of silent film acting of the late 1920s.
Why is so little known about Roland Drew?
The scarcity of information about Roland Drew is typical of many character actors from the silent era who had brief careers. Supporting players were often not extensively documented in studio records, press materials, or film histories, especially if they appeared in only one or two films before leaving the industry.
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Films
1 film
