Ernest Torrence Biography

Fast Facts

• Graduated from Stuttgart Conservatory at the Edinburgh Academy and studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London
• Made his screen acting debut in the short film "Marrying Off Dad" in 1918
• Started out as a pianist and opera singer, touring with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and appearing in productions of "The Emerald Isle" and "The Talk of the Town․"
• Upon arriving in New York, he began working as an actor, appearing in Broadway productions like "Modest Suzanne" and "The Night Boat," which eventually drew attention from Hollywood
• Best known as a silent film character actor who appeared in "Steamboat Bill, Jr․" and "Tol'able David․"
• Often played villain characters, including Captain James Hook in "Peter Pan" in 1924 and Professor James Moriarty in "Sherlock Holmes" in 1932
• While still working as an opera singer, he played the role of Mephisto in one of Thomas Edison's first sound film experiments, "Faust," in 1913