George Lessey
George Lessey was an American actor and director of the silent era. He appeared in more than 120 films between 1910 and 1946. He also directed more than 70 films between 1913 and 1922.
Lessey was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, and as a boy he acted in theatrical productions there. He graduated from Amherst College.
For a year, Lessey was a leading man for Edison Studios, after which he directed films for the company for two years. In 1914, he joined Universal Studios as a director. He portrayed Romeo in the initial film version of Romeo and Juliet, directed the first serial, What Happened to Mary, and played the first dual role in film as twins in The Corsican Brothers.
On stage, Lessey appeared in the original Broadway production of Porgy and Bess in one of the few white roles, that of the lawyer Mr. Archdale.
In the 1930s, Lessey worked as a model for men's clothes.
Lessey was married to the former May Abbey. On June 3, 1947, Lessey died on vacation in Westbrook, Connecticut, aged 67.
Selected filmography
A Fresh Air Romance - Young Doctor FoggA Soldier's Duty - Commanding GeneralThe Librarian - The School Teacher The Twelfth Juror Graft The Purple Lady Patria The Eagle's Eye To Him That Hath - Henry AllenTwilight - Dr. Henry CharmantThe $1,000,000 Reward - James BradleyThe Harvest Moon - Jacques VavinWits vs. Wits - James MarsleyA Divorce of Convenience - Senator WakefieldIs Life Worth Living? - LawyerWhy Girls Leave Home - Mr. HedderHandcuffs or Kisses - Elias PrattRainbow - Rufus HallidaySchool Days - His Guardian - the DeaconThe Snitching Hour - LarryThe Silent Command - Mr. CollinsIt Is the Law - Inspector DolanScar Hanan - Bart HutchinsThe Fool - GoodkindWhite Thunder - Sheriff RichardsDurand of the Bad Lands - John BoydAnnapolis Salute - Captain Brooks ...One Third of a Nation... - Doctor Birthright Dr. Kildare's Strange Case - Rufus IngersollEdison, the Man - ToastmasterAndy Hardy Meets Debutante - UnderwoodSporting Blood - Banker CobbThe Golden Fleecing - Buckley SloanBoom Town - JudgeStrike Up the Band - Mr. MorganSky Murder - Senator MonroseDulcy - Judge Paroling Henry to Dulcy Hullabaloo - Mr. Arthur Jay NortonGallant Sons - JudgeGo West - Railroad PresidentBlonde Inspiration - C. V. HutchinsForbidden Passage - American Consul in LisbonMen of Boys Town - Bradford StoneThe Big Boss - Senator WilliamsAdventure in Washington - Vice-President Moon Over Miami - William BoultonSweetheart of the Campus - Dr. HaleBlossoms in the Dust - Mr. KeatsWe Go Fast - J.P. HempsteadIt Started with Eve - Johnson - Hotel Guest You Belong to Me - Marshall Born to Sing - Mr. Lawson Roxie Hart - Judge CannonRings on Her Fingers - Fenwick Sr.The Postman Didn't Ring - Governor Marvin Winthrop The Pride of the Yankees - Mayor of New RochelleThe Gay Sisters - Judge BarrowsGirl Trouble - MorganNow, Voyager - Uncle Herbert Laugh Your Blues Away - Mr. WesterlyThe Crystal Ball - Judge Dixie Dugan - Sen. PattersonMission to Moscow - Bill - Well-wisher Someone to Remember - College Trustee Pistol Packin' Mama - Mr. BurtonWhat a Woman! - Senator Hendricks Henry Aldrich, Boy Scout - Commissioner Towers None Shall Escape - Presiding JudgeCharlie Chan in the Secret Service - Slade Cover Girl - Minister Buffalo Bill - Mr. Schyler VandervereThe Adventures of Mark Twain - Henry H. Rogers Roger Touhy, Gangster - Judge Bride by Mistake - Business Man Wilson - Senator Sweet and Low-Down - Norman Wilson Eadie Was a Lady - Rev. Ames One More Tomorrow - Men's Club Member The Missing Lady - James Douglas