Volume III: Biographies

FAUST, Martin J. ***

Actor (1910-1911)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Martin J. Faust was one of the most important Thanhouser players in 1910 and 1911, though his name rarely appeared in publicity.

Biographical Notes: Martin J. Faust, born in Poughkeepsie, New York on January 16, 1886 (one account says 1887; the Motion Picture News Studio Directory, April 12, 1917, says Berlin, 1888), became a child actor at the age of eight. Later, he toured with Richard Mansfield for two years. During his career he worked with James ONeill, Nat Goodwin, Mrs. Leslie Carter, Barry ONeil, and Frank McIntyre. For a time he was with the stock company at Proctors 125th Street Theatre.

Although he stated that his first work in films was with Thanhouser in 1908, this recollection was incorrect. Perhaps Edison was intended, for he acted with Edison in the early years. Faust was in many Thanhouser productions, playing leads and character parts in 1910 and 1911. He left for Lubin the latter year, and by the spring of 1912 he was captain of the Lubin baseball team.

A 1916 account noted that Martin J. Faust was 511" tall, weighed 163 pounds, and had brown hair and blue eyes. He enjoyed riding, swimming, motoring, ball games and dancing for recreation. In 1918 his mailing address was care of the Friars Club, and his studio address was Fox, both in New York City. After leaving Lubin, he was with Metro by early 1916, including Columbia-Metro (in the April 1916 release through Metro of The Kiss of Hate). Later he was with Vitagraph (Find the Woman, 1918) and other companies, in a career that lasted to the 1940s. Among those with whom he was seen on screen were Tom Mix, Lionel Barrymore, and Buck Jones. Just prior to his death, Faust acted in This Is the Army, Ali Baba, and North Star.

Martin J. Faust died on July 19, 1943 in Los Angeles, California, at St. Vincents Hospital. Christian Science services at Pierce Brothers Hollywood Chapel were followed by cremation. The deceased was survived by his widow, Hazel. At the time of his death, Faust lived at 1161 Moorpark Street in North Hollywood.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1910: Jane Eyre (5-6-1910), The Best Man Wins (5-13-1910), The Winters Tale (5-27-1910), John Halifax, Gentleman (12-2-1910), The Vicar of Wakefield (12-27-1910)

1911: Robert Emmet (3-17-1911)

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