Buster Keaton Biography

Fast Facts

• After years of contributing to Hollywood, he finally received a ceremonial Academy Award for his work
• Often considered the inventor of 'parody' performance, as he began experimenting with impressions that would poke fun of fellow performers on his tour
• Ranked No․ 21 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Male Legends
• Was born into a vaudeville family, including his father, who owned a traveling show with Harry Houdini called "Mohawk Indian Medicine Company․"
• Quote: "All of my life I have been happiest when the folks watching me said to each other, 'Look at that poor dope, wilya?'․"
• Quote: "No man can be a genius in slapshoes and a flat hat․"
• Began his film career with 1921's "The Saphead" after which he gained popularity and began to write, direct and star in his newly-formed production company's features
• Began physical comedy routines alongside his mother and father at the age of three in which his father would toss him about the stage, often raising concerns of child abuse, however, he claims this is how he learned to do trick falls
• Became hearing impaired while serving in Germany during World War I
• Reportedly given the nickname Buster by Harry Houdini who watched the then-infant stumble down a flight of stairs, later exclaiming, "That was a real buster!"
• Pictured on one of ten postage stamps created by the U․S․ Postal Service in April of 1994 that celebrated Hollywood silent film stars