Most people today never have heard of him, but over 100 years ago the name John Bunny would automatically be recognizable since he was the most famous film performer in movies at the time. From 1910-1915, Bunny, a former successful actor of the stage, felt being employed in the movie industry would guarantee steadier work than being in the theater.
His hunch proved correct. Bunny sought an acting job with The Vitagraph Studios, but the studio manager told him the company couldn't afford his salary. The highly paid stage actor said he was willing to get paid less than in the theater, which didn't provide a steady income. Vitagraph hired him, a studio where Bunny eventually made over 150 movies.
He specialized in domestic comedies rather than slapstick, which was highly popular at that time. Bunny was often teamed up with comedian Flora Finch. The couple became so famous acting together the press would label their comedies "Bunnyfinches." Despite their personas on the screen exuding warmth, Bunny and Finch's relationship off the set was one where "they cordially hated each other."
Bunny's career in film was brief. He died from Bright's disease on April 26, 1915, at the age of 51. He has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on 1715 Vine Street.
One of his best films with Finch is September 1911's "Her Crowning Glory." Bunny plays a widower with a rambunctious child. He hires Finch as a governess to take care of his daughter. The five-year-older, played by Helene Costello, steals the show with her adorable, yet wild personality. Helene was the real daughter of the women playing the nurse in this film, Mae Costello. Helene had quite a career in silent movies, so much so that Lou Costello, the comedian whose real name was Louis Francis Cristillo, changed his last name to Costello because he liked the last name of Helene. She was one of many silent movie actresses who didn't make the transition to sound film.
His hunch proved correct. Bunny sought an acting job with The Vitagraph Studios, but the studio manager told him the company couldn't afford his salary. The highly paid stage actor said he was willing to get paid less than in the theater, which didn't provide a steady income. Vitagraph hired him, a studio where Bunny eventually made over 150 movies.
He specialized in domestic comedies rather than slapstick, which was highly popular at that time. Bunny was often teamed up with comedian Flora Finch. The couple became so famous acting together the press would label their comedies "Bunnyfinches." Despite their personas on the screen exuding warmth, Bunny and Finch's relationship off the set was one where "they cordially hated each other."
Bunny's career in film was brief. He died from Bright's disease on April 26, 1915, at the age of 51. He has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on 1715 Vine Street.
One of his best films with Finch is September 1911's "Her Crowning Glory." Bunny plays a widower with a rambunctious child. He hires Finch as a governess to take care of his daughter. The five-year-older, played by Helene Costello, steals the show with her adorable, yet wild personality. Helene was the real daughter of the women playing the nurse in this film, Mae Costello. Helene had quite a career in silent movies, so much so that Lou Costello, the comedian whose real name was Louis Francis Cristillo, changed his last name to Costello because he liked the last name of Helene. She was one of many silent movie actresses who didn't make the transition to sound film.