Volume III: Biographies

 

BRADY, Ed ("Toots") *

Actor (1912-1914)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Ed ("Toots") Brady appeared in Thanhouser films during the 1912-1914 period.

Biographical Notes: Edward (or Edmund) J. Brady, known in Thanhouser films as "Ed" and "Toots," was born in New York City on December 6, 1889. At the age of 13 he left home and, in St. Louis, joined a traveling circus. Life under the big tent proved to be less than he had hoped for, and for the next four years he was a tramp and traveled as far away as Australia. Once in Pocatello, Idaho, he signed with a musical comedy troupe. His tenure lasted just one day, but that was enough for the "bug" to bite. After a series of short successes and reverses, he landed a job with a company of stock players. Although he desired comedy parts, he was cast in more serious roles, much to his dismay.

His travels brought him to New York, where he encountered P.A. ("Pat") Powers, of the motion picture company that bore his name. He reluctantly agreed to act before the camera, liked the work, and from that time determined to vary his stage work with screen acting. Brady was seen subsequently in films produced by Selig, Universal, Nestor, and others. He worked with Thanhouser intermittently during the 1912-1914 era. Sometimes he was listed in credits and publicity as "Toots" Brady. An article in The Moving Picture World, August 22, 1914, noted that Toots Brady was an accomplished oarsman and held several national records.

He was a close personal friend of Thanhouser player Billy Noel, and, like Noel, was known as a "human polar bear," by virtue of his penchant for swimming in icy water in the middle of the winter. As such, he was seen in midwinter swimming roles for Thanhouser in Her Nephews From Labrador and An Hour of Youth.

Brady's greatest publicity came after H.M. Horkheimer hired him for Balboa pictures. For Balboa he acted in the Who Pays? serial series based upon social problems, and in the Neal of the Navy serial. For Balboa he was often cast in villain and "tough" roles. In February 1916 he was on stage at the Valentine Theatre in Toledo, Ohio, in the role of Garcia, in The Winning of Barbara Worth. During the same era, in his spare time he enjoyed driving his Model T Ford automobile. Edward J. Brady died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California, on March 31, 1942.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1913: Her Nephews From Labrador (1-26-1913)

1914: A Seminary Consumed by Flames (3-4-1914), An Hour of Youth (4-12-1914), From the Flames (4-28-1914), The Leaven of Good (7-12-1914), The Varsity Race (9-22-14)

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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.