Mack Sennett

Born January 17, 1880 · Richmond, Québec, Canada

Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian born actor, director, comedian and studio head, known as the 'King of Comedy'. He produced more than 1,000 silent films and several dozen talkies during a 25-year career. He became a United States citizen in 1932. Sennett was born and raised in Richmond, Quebec. He moved to Connecticut when he was 17 years old. In New York City, he took on the stage name Mack Sennett and became an actor, singer, dancer, clown, set designer, and director for the Biograph Company. He later opened Keystone Studios in Edendale, California, in 1912. Keystone possessed the first fully enclosed film stage, and Sennett became famous as the originator of slapstick routines such as pie-throwing and car-chases, as seen in the Keystone Cops films. He also produced short features that displayed his Bathing Beauties, many of whom went on to develop successful acting careers. Sennett's work in sound movies was less successful, and he was bankrupted in 1933. In 1938 he was presented with an honorary Academy Award for his contribution to film comedy. Mack Sennett died in Woodland Hills, California in 1960, aged 80. [biography (excerpted) from Wikipedia]