Actor

Male

1 series in the catalog

Alec B. Francis (born Alec Francis Budd; 2 December 1867 – 6 July 1934) was an English actor, largely of the silent era. He appeared in more than 240 films between 1911 and 1934.

Biography

Francis was born in Suffolk, England. He studied law at Uppingham College in England and practiced with a legal firm in London.

Disliking legal work, Francis joined a stock theater company for which he played bit parts, and was baggage master and property man. He eventually came under contract with a touring company headed by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kendall, acting in leading roles in England, India, South Africa, and the United States. He also performed in vaudeville.

Francis served twice in the military, once for Britain and once for the United States. He was in India for a four-year tour of duty with the British Royal Horse Artillery, and He was a nurse with American forces during the Spanish-American War.

Although Francis tried farming after his service as a nurse, he returned to acting and appeared in some plays, including musical productions in which he sang as a baritone. He began acting in films in 1913 and worked for Vitagraph, World, and other film studios.

Francis died in Hollywood Hospital in Hollywood, California, on 6 July 1934, three days after emergency abdominal surgery. His funeral was held at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, and his remains cremated.