Volume III: Biographies

SEELEY, James *

Actor (1916)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: James Seeley was an actor with Thanhouser in 1916.

Biographical Notes: James Seeley was born in Rushville, Illinois in 1867 and made his stage debut early in life in John A. Stevens' play, Passion's Slave. For many years he acted with stock and road companies, including a long stint with the Castle Square Theatre stock company in Boston. By 1917, the actor had appeared before the footlights in about 700 different roles, including parts in The Crown Prince, Fortunes and the King, Salomy Jane, The White Sister, The Law of the Land, Cordelia Blossom, The Renegade, Cameo Kirby, The Lion and the Mouse, The Prisoner of Zenda, Dinner at Eight, The Third Degree, and The Woman. He worked with Robert Edeson, James K. Hackett, Viola Allen, William Farnum, Dustin Farnum, Helen Ware, David Belasco, and many other players and producers.

James Seeley appeared in the 1916 Thanhouser release of The Pillory. He was not a regular Thanhouser stock player but was hired especially for work in this film. James Seeley remained in films and on the stage for many years and was seen in numerous productions, including his last role on the stage in Flight to the West in 1941. James Seeley died on February 15, 1943 in New York City.

Note: The Thanhouser player is not to be confused with James Seeley (1900-March 19, 1984), who was a well-known cinematographer, having begun his work in 1920. The obituary of this other James Seeley appeared in American Cinematographer in May 1984.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1916: The Pillory (10-8-1916)

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