William Farnum was born on July 4, 1876, in Boston, Massachusetts, to a family of actors. He was one of three brothers, including the renowned actor Dustin Farnum and silent film director Marshall Farnum, who tragically passed away in 1917.
Farnum's early start in the entertainment industry began at the tender age of ten, when he made his acting debut in a production of Julius Caesar in Richmond, Virginia, with the legendary Edwin Booth playing the title character. This marked the beginning of his illustrious career, which would span over four decades.
In 1900, Farnum gained his first major success, taking on the title role in the iconic production of Ben-Hur, replacing the original actor Edward Morgan, who had premiered the character in 1899. He continued to impress audiences with his performances in various plays, including the epic costume drama The Prince of India (1906),The White Sister (1909),starring the talented Viola Allen, and The Littlest Rebel (1911),alongside his brother Dustin and child actress Mary Miles Minter, who was just nine years old at the time.
Farnum's most notable performances during this period include Arizona (1913),alongside Dustin and stage beauty Elsie Ferguson, and The Spoilers (1914),where he and Tom Santschi staged a classic movie fight that lasted an entire reel. This iconic scene would go on to influence numerous actors, including Gary Cooper, William Boyd, Milton Sills, Noah Beery, Randolph Scott, and John Wayne, in their own film endeavors.
From 1915 to 1925, Farnum dedicated his life to the motion picture industry, becoming one of the biggest sensations in Hollywood and earning the highest paychecks, with a weekly salary of $10,000. During this period, he starred in silent films such as the western Drag Harlan (1920) and the drama-adventure If I Were King (1921),both of which survive to this day, thanks to his contract with Fox Films.
Farnum's legacy extends beyond his impressive filmography, as he is also recognized with a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Despite his passing on June 5, 1953, in Hollywood, California, his impact on the entertainment industry continues to be celebrated and remembered.
