Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Roscoe Arbuckle

Role / Field:

Popular silent film star known for his comedic roles and later legal scandals.

Born:

1887-03-24

Died:

1933-06-29

Century / Era:

1887s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Roscoe Conkling "Fatty" Arbuckle (; March 24, 1887 – June 29, 1933) was an American silent film actor, director, and screenwriter. He started at the Selig Polyscope Company and eventually moved to Keystone Studios, where he worked with Mabel Normand and Harold Lloyd as well as with his nephew, Al St. John. He also mentored Charlie Chaplin, Monty Banks, and Bob Hope and brought vaudeville star Buster Keaton into the movie business.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Arbuckle was one of the most popular silent stars of the 1910s and one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, signing a contract in 1920 with Paramount Pictures for $1 million a year (equivalent to $16.1 million in 2025). Arbuckle was the defendant in three widely publicized trials between November 1921 and April 1922 for the rape and manslaughter of Virginia Rappe. Rappe had fallen ill at a party hosted by Arbuckle at San Francisco's St. Francis Hotel in September 1921 and died four days later. A friend of Rappe accused Arbuckle of raping and accidentally killing her.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The first two trials resulted in hung juries, but the third trial acquitted Arbuckle. The third jury took the unusual step of giving Arbuckle a written statement of apology for his treatment...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alexander Archipenko — Contemporary (Born in 1887) (1887): Ukrainian-American avant-garde sculptor, pioneer of Cubist human figures.
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• Alvin Hansen — Contemporary (Born in 1887) (1887): Influential American economist, known as "the American Keynes" for popularizing Keynesian theory.
• 13th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Died in 1933) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Adolf Loos — Contemporary (Died in 1933) (1933): Pioneering architect and theorist of modernism, known for his critique of ornamentation.
• Adolph Caesar — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Alan Sugar — Shared historical date (03-24 · Born) (1947): Pioneering British entrepreneur, founder of Amstrad, and TV personality.
• Albert Uderzo — Shared historical date (03-24 · Died) (2020): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• Alan Arkin — Shared historical date (06-29 · Died) (2023): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.
• Antoine de Saint-Exupéry — Shared historical date (06-29 · Born) (1900): French writer, poet, and aviator whose works blended adventure with profound humanism.
• 1887 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1887
• March 24 (03-24) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 24
• 1933 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1933
• June 29 (06-29) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 29

Frequently Asked Questions about Roscoe Arbuckle