Arthur Donaldson
Biography
Swedish born classical stage star Arthur Donaldson born in Norsholm, Sweden in 1869. A well-known stage actor and a light opera baritone singer. Moved to the United States in 1883 and began his stage career in the 1890's, he originated the role of 'The Prince of Pilsen' in 1903. Handsome performer who often played high class gentlemen in more than 80 movies, making his film debut in 'A Lad from Old Ireland' for the Kalem Film Co in 1910. During the early 1910's he returned to Sweden, appearing in operettas at Oscarsteatern and also made two Swedish films (one as director) before going back to America. He became one of the best regarded character actors of the World War I era including as a German General in 'For France' at Vitagraph Film Co in 1917, one of his most memorable roles was that of George III in D.W. Griffith's 'America' in 1920. In 1925 he produced and directed 'Retribution' an experimental sound film intended for a Swedish-speaking audience, ironically, sound ultimately put an end to his screen career, he returned to the stage permanently in 1927, making his Broadway directorial debut in 1934 with 'The Green Stick'. He died in Long Island, New York in 1955 age 86.
Personal Details
Movies (50)
Old Lace
1931
The Winning Oar
as Robert Brooks
1927
The Broadway Drifter
as Frank Harmon
1927
Love 'Em and Leave 'Em
as Mr. McGonigle
1926
Fifty-Fifty
as Grand Duke Popovitch
1925
Down Upon the Suwanee River
as Dais Norwood
1925
School for Wives
as Jordan B. Lynch
1925
The Swan
as Franz, the Court Chamberlain
1925
The Bandolero
as Juan
1924
Yolanda
as Lord Bishop
1924
For Woman's Favor
as The Brother
1924
America
as King George III
1924
Finger Prints
1922
When Knighthood Was in Flower
as Sir Henry Brandon
1922
Find the Woman
as Morris Beiner
1922
Luring Shadows
1921
A Modern Salome
as Walter Greene
1921
Is Life Worth Living?
as Isaac - Pawnbroker
1921
The Rider of the King Log
as Stephen Marthorn
1921
Gilded Lies
as Major Burns
1921
The Silver Lining
as Friend of the Baxters
1921
The Passionate Pilgrim
as O'Rell
1921
The Hidden Light
as Detective Hayden
1920
Mothers of Men
as Gen. De La Motte
1920
The ABC of Love
as Prof. George Collins
1919
The Undercurrent
as Malin
1919
Mind the Paint Girl
as Vincent Bland
1919
Me and Captain Kidd
as Randolph Hamilton
1919
Atonement
as Anselmo
1919
Daring Hearts
as Burgomaster
1919
Miss Dulcie from Dixie
as Uncle John
1919
The Captain's Captain
as Cap'n Abe / Am'zon
1919
Over the Top
as Friederich von Emden
1918
Who Goes There?
as Gen. Von Reiter
1917
I Will Repay
as Caesar
1917
For France
as Rudolph Von Glahm
1917
Babbling Tongues
as Joseph Moreau
1917
Danger Trail
as Pierre Thoreau
1917
Enlighten Thy Daughter
as Richard Stevens
1917
The Faded Flower
as Wilbur Mason
1916
Her American Prince
as Baron Von Blumberg
1916
A Woman's Honor
as Tochetti
1916
The Salamander
Director (Directing)
1916
Should a Baby Die?
as Jacob Cohen
1916
The Ghost of Twisted Oaks
1915
The Moth and the Flame
as Mr. Walton
1915
Runaway June
1915
Three Weeks
as Dimitri the Queen's Bodyguard
1914
The Land of the Lost
as Baron de Coverly
1914
Wolfe or the Conquest of Quebec
as Marquis de Montcalm
1914