Ben Turpin was a comedian, best remembered
for his work in silent films.
Turpin was born Benjamin T. Turpin, the son of a
candy store owner. His birthdate is usually given as
September 17, but various years ranging from 1869 to
1874 are listed in various sources and claimed by Turpin
himself at various times.
He worked in Vaudeville, Burlesque, and Circuses.
Turpin had a distinctive appearance, with a small wiry
frame, a brushy mustache, and crossed eyes.
Turpin's famous crossed eyes, he said, only crossed
as a young adult after he suffered an accident. Turpin
was convinced that the crossed eyes were essential
to his comic career; his co-workers recalled that after
he received any blow to the head he made a point of
looking himself in the mirror to assure himself that
they had not become uncrossed. Turpin took out an 25,000
dollar insurance policy with Lloyd's of London, payable
if his eyes ever uncrossed.
Turpin developed a vigorous style of physical comedy,
including an ability to stage comic pratt-falls that
impressed even his fellow workers in the rough & tumble
world of silent comedy.
Ben Turpin first appeared on film in 1907 for Essanay
Studios in Chicago in various small parts and comic
bits; in addition to his on-screen work Turpin worked
as a janitor for Essanay. He enjoyed only moderate
success until about 1914 when he started appearing
in larger roles and became a credited comic star.
In 1917 Turpin began working for Mack Sennett's Studio.
His roles often spoofed serious actors and celebrities
of the time, and Turpin became one of film's most popular
comics. Delighted with his success, he took to introducing
himself with the phrase, "I'm Ben Turpin; I make
three thousand dollars a week."
Turpin retired from film in 1924 to look after his
ailing wife. Turpin had invested his earnings in real
estate, and being highly successful at this, had no
financial need for more work. After his wife's death,
however, he again began making irregular appearances
in supporting comic roles in films in 1926. This would
continue into the sound era; his last film role was
in the Laurel and Hardy film Saps at Sea in 1940, the
year of Turpin's death. |
