Billy Quirk(1873-1926)

Early silent screen comedian with stage experience, whose heyday was between 1908 and 1919. Started at Biograph in 1908, occasionally under the direction of D.W. Griffith. With Solax and Gem, 1912-1914, then at Vitagraph. Couldn't cope with the pressure of making full-length features and consequently suffered a nervous breakdown, followed by attempted suicide, in 1920. His health continued to decline and he died six years later.