Al Ernest Garcia

Al Ernest Garcia

Allan Garcia in Chaplin's Modern Times (1936)
Born Allan Ernest Garcia
March 11, 1887
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Died September 4, 1938 (aged 51)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Years active 1911-1938
Spouse(s) unknown

Al Ernest Garcia or also Allan Garcia (11 March 1887 - 4 September 1938) was an American actor and casting director, best-known for his long association with Charlie Chaplin.

Life and career

Allan Garcia appeared in over 120 films between 1911 and 1938, mostly in supporting roles. He frequently played in silent film westerns with stars like Leo Carrillo and Warner Baxter. Garcia also directed a short film named The Purple Scar in 1917, but it stayed his only work as a director. Although born in California he was obviously also of Mexican origin, he played in some Mexican films and also portrayed Mexicans in American films. With the advent of sound film, his roles were somewhat smaller, but he worked until his death as an actor.

Allan Garcia is best-remembered for his work with Charlie Chaplin, he played with Chaplin in six films between 1921 and 1936. Chaplin casted him mostly in clinical or villianous supporting roles. Garcia portrayed the brutal Circus director in The Circus (1928), the snobbish butler of the millionaire in City Lights (1931), and the director of the steel factory in Modern Times (1936) who is bored and plays puzzle while he demands maximum performances from his workers. The actor also worked also as a Casting Director for Chaplin at The Circus, City Lights and Modern Times. In contrast to his roles in Chaplin films, he engaged himself for better payment and more rights of supporting actors and bit players in films. He was the first chairman and co-founder of the Motion Picture Extras and Supporting Playes Association which was originated in 1933.[1]

Filmography

Allan Garcia (right side) with Herbert Barrington and Gertrude Astor in Under Two Flags (1915)

1930s

1920s

1910s

References

External links