Hobart Henley | |
|---|---|
 Motion Picture Magazine, 1915 | |
| Born | Hess Manassah Henle November 23, 1887 |
| Died | May 22, 1964 (aged 76) |
| Height | 6’2” |
| Spouse | Dorothy Bertha March |
Hobart Henley (born Hess Manassah Henle; November 23, 1887[1] – May 22, 1964) was an American silent film actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He was involved in over 60 films either as an actor or director or both from 1914 to 1934.
Henley was born Hess Manassah Henle in Louisville, Kentucky[2] to Samuel Henle, a German immigrant and retailer, and his wife Clementine. His family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Henley graduated from the University of Cincinnati.[1]
Henley began his career as a stage actor, then moved to acting in silent films. He began dual duties of directing and acting in such films as The Gay Old Dog for Pathé in 1919.[3][4] He continued directing films, many of which were star's debuts like Bette Davis in the Bad Sister (1931) with Humphrey Bogart,[5] as well as those of Reginald Denny, Jimmy Durante, and Will Rogers.
He started his own production company[6] and later worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures.[7] He directed top stars, including Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, and Maurice Chevalier.[8] He retired in 1936.[9]
He was married twice, first in 1920 to Corinne Barker,[10] and later he married Louisiana native Dorothy March. He and March had two sons, David, and Hobart Jr. (deceased age 14). Henley died in Beverly Hills, California,[11] aged 76, and he is interred at Chapel of the Pines Crematory, Los Angeles.
