Thomas H. Ince Biography

Fast Facts

• First appeared on stage at the age of 6 and later made his Broadway debut at the age of 15
• There was much debate and rumor surrounding his death, which was officially labeled a heart attack while others claimed that he was shot by William Randolph Hearst on board his yacht, the Oneida
• Was thought to be the founder of Hollywood's studio system and was responsible for innovations like shooting multiple films simultaneously and using a detailed "shooting script․"
• Best known as a silent film director and producer who made more than 600 films and is referred as the "Father of the Western․"
• Founded the Triangle Motion Picture Company in 1915 with D․ W․ Griffith and Mack Sennett and later became a co-founder of Paramount Pictures with Adolf Zukor
• Some of his best films were thought to be "The Gangsters and the Girl," "The Italian," and "The Clodhopper․"
• Was the first filmmaker to employ a separate writer, editor, and director for his films instead of doing everything himself