The legendary actor of silent cinema, whose plasticity, inexhaustible imagination and equanimity continues to inspire artists so far.
Biography
Frank Keaton was born in 1895 in the small Kansas town of Pickwa in an acting family. The father owned a mobile theater, during the performances, the actors staged vaudeville and at the same time sold to the audience various brand-name drugs.
Keaton first appeared on the scene at the age of 3 in a comedy sketch in which he participated with his parents. According to the script, the boy had to do dangerous tricks. Participation in this show taught Baster caution, in the future he was very rarely injured during the performance of risky scenes.
The Keaton family toured extensively in America and Britain, so the boy was not able to attend school regularly. His mother taught him to write and count, if the family stayed in one of the cities for a long time, Baster was sent to study in one of the free schools.
When Baster was 21 years old, his father’s alcoholism spoiled the troupe’s reputation, he decides to leave his father’s theater and begin his career in New York.
Career
Keaton's father considered cinema an unworthy occupation, and at a young age Buster shared this belief. But when the camera fell into his hands, out of curiosity he tried to shoot several scenes. The process so inspired the young man that he began to look for opportunities to engage in filmmaking professionally.
The first film with his participation The Butcher Boy was released in 1917. It was a silent comedy film. The unflappable face of the actor during a funny reprise became the actor's calling card. The tape was received by the public with great interest.
The most productive period of his work is the twenties, when he was free to express himself. In the thirties, after signing a contract with a major film company, due to the loss of freedom, I experienced a deep creative crisis, which I could only overcome by the forties.
In the forties, a lot is removed, plays characteristic roles most often in the background.
In the early 50s, a television series with the participation of The Buster Keaton Show was released on television, which became very popular with viewers.
In 1954, starred in his first dramatic film "Awakening".
