Volume III: Biographies

WIRTH, Leo *

Actor, assistant director (1914-1916)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Leo Wirth was an actor and assistant director with Thanhouser, circa 1914-1916.

Biographical Notes: Leo Wirth was born in New York City on November 7, 1887 and was educated in Europe. As an officer in the Russian Imperial Army he saw service in the Russo-Japanese War. Returning to America in 1906, he eventually engaged in a screen career. He worked in Thanhouser films beginning in 1914, in which year he was an assistant director in Joseph in the Land of Egypt. A trade listing noted that he was assistant director in many other productions as well. He also acted in numerous films. In early 1916 he worked at Thanhouser's Jacksonville studio. The Florida Metropolis, February 11, 1916, printed this item: "Leo Wirth received a shipment of 'stroodles' from his mother in New York yesterday and we had quite a feast in Leo's apartment at the Seminole. Eugene Moore says 'stroodles' are too rich for him, so he confined his attention to other things."

While in Jacksonville he directed a small orchestra at the Hotel Seminole, where many actors and actresses stayed. In early April, the orchestra players disbanded and went back to Chicago from whence they had come. Most of his work was uncredited, so only a few of his films can be identified today. Leo Wirth was 5'11" tall, weighed 200 pounds, and had dark hair and blue eyes. In January 1916 he lived in New Rochelle at 19 Charles Street. By October of the same year he moved to 1370 Boston Post Road, Bronx, New York.

Note: His surname was misspelled as "Worth" in many publicity notices.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1914: Joseph in the Land of Egypt (2-1-1914), The Man Without Fear (6-19-1914)

1915: God's Witness (5-20-1915), Milestones of Life (7-29-1915), The Mill on the Floss (12-16-1915)

1916: The Oval Diamond (2-24-1916), Her Father's Gold (5-11-1916)

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