Hobart Henley


Hobart Henley was an American silent film actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He was involved in over 60 films either as an actor or director or both in his twenty-year career, between 1914 and 1934 when he retired from filmmaking.

Early life

Henley was born Hess Manassah Henle in Louisville, Kentucky, to Samuel Henle, a German immigrant and retailer, and his wife Clementine. His father moved the family to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Henley later attended and graduated from the University of Cincinnati.

Career

Henley began his career as a stage actor, then moved to acting in silent films. He began dual duties of directing and acting in such films as The Gay Old Dog for Pathé in 1919. He continued directing films, many of which were star's debuts like Bette Davis in the Bad Sister with Humphrey Bogart, as well as those of Reginald Denny, Jimmy Durante, and Will Rogers.
He started his own production company and later worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures. He directed top stars, including Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, and Maurice Chevalier. He retired in 1936.

Personal life

He was married twice, first in 1920 to Corinne Barker, and later he married Louisiana native Dorothy March. The latter marriage produced two sons, David, and Hobart Jr.. Henley died in Beverly Hills, California, aged 76, and is interred at Chapel of the Pines Crematory, Los Angeles.

Partial filmography