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Chubby silent film comic Bert Roach began on the New York stage at the age of 17. In 1911, he headlined in the two-act musical farce Louisiana Lou and then spent several years in stock as a lead tenor. Two years later, he made his screen debut at Keystone in Mack Sennett's Fatty's Magic Pants (1914). From then on, he remained busily engaged as a utility player, tallying up an impressive 350-plus acting credits. Often sporting an oversized Germanic moustache, Bert was a natural for silent slapstick. He had recurring roles in several Alice Howell vehicles at Universal in the mid-20s. In early talkies, he was employed by both Al Christie and Hal Roach (no relation) where he often showed his penchant for playing inebriates. He also had a good line in looking scared out of his wits, which he demonstrated to effect in Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932). On rare occasions, he was featured support in A-grade product like San Francisco (1936) (Freddie Duane) or The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) (Athos). For the most part, however, he was merely glimpsed in the background as nameless bartenders, stage hands, drunks and 'fat men'. Bert was one of many veteran silent comics who came together in 1947 to appear in the (inaccurate) Pearl White biopic The Perils of Pauline (1947), starring Betty Hutton.

Started as one of Mack Sennett&#39;s Keystone Cops.

Portly comic supporting actor, who entered films in 1913 with Mack Sennett, after five years of experience performing with various stock companies.

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Bert Roach

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