Harold Lloyd Biography

Fast Facts

• An accident with what was supposed to be a prop bomb in 1919 left him with a disfigured hand and severely damaged eyesight, making his skyscraper-scaling stunt in 1923's "Safety Last!" all the more impressive
• Started out as a stage actor during his childhood, appearing in school productions and stock theater before eventually appearing as an extra in Edison Film Company films
• Made his screen acting debut as an extra in the short film "The Old Monk's Tale" in 1913
• Played several memorable comic characters during his early days as an actor, including Lonesome Luke and Willie Work
• Quote: "Laughter is the universal language․ It establishes a common identity among people-regardless of other differences․ It is the sweetest sound in the whole world․"
• Best known for his role as The Boy in "Safety Last!" and as Harold Lamb in "The Freshman․"
• Directed and produced the films "The Kid Brother" in 1927, "Feet First" in 1930, and "Movie Crazy" in 1932
• After retiring from the film industry with more than 200 credits to his name, he began speaking at Shriners conventions and later became the President and Chairman of the Board of the Shriners Hospitals for Children
• Was featured on a U․S․ postage stamp more than 20 years after his death