Al Ernest Garcia
| Al Ernest Garcia | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Allan Ernest Garcia March 11, 1887 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 4, 1938 (aged 51) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1911–1938 |
Al Ernest Garcia or also Allan Garcia (11 March 1887 – 4 September 1938) was an American actor and casting director, best known for his long association with Charlie Chaplin.
Allan Garcia appeared in over 120 films between 1911 and 1938, mostly in supporting roles. He frequently played in silent film westerns with stars like Leo Carrillo and Warner Baxter. Garcia also directed a short film named The Purple Scar in 1917, but it stayed his only work as a director. Although born in California he was obviously also of Mexican origin, he played in some Mexican films and also portrayed Mexicans in American films. With the advent of sound film, his roles were somewhat smaller, but he worked until his death as an actor.
Garcia is best remembered for his work with Charlie Chaplin. He acted with Chaplin in six films between 1921 and 1936. Chaplin cast him mostly in clinical or villainous supporting roles. Garcia portrayed the brutal Circus director in The Circus (1928), the snobbish butler of the millionaire in City Lights (1931), and the director of the steel factory in Modern Times (1936) who is bored and plays puzzle while he demands maximum performances from his workers. The actor also worked as a Casting Director for Chaplin in The Circus, City Lights, and Modern Times. In contrast to his roles in Chaplin films, he engaged himself for better payment and more rights of supporting actors and bit players in films. He was the first chairman and co-founder of the Motion Picture Extras and Supporting Players Association which was originated in 1933.
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