George F. Houston
| George F. Houston | |
|---|---|
| Born |
George Fleming Houston January 11, 1896 Hampton, New Jersey, USA |
| Died | November 12, 1944 (aged 48) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Other names | George Byron |
| Occupation | Film, stage actor |
| Years active | 1934–1942 |
| Spouse(s) | Leone Sousa (1909 - 2001) Virginia Card (?-1944) (his death) |
George Fleming Houston (January 11, 1896 – November 12, 1944) was an American B-western film actor and accomplished singer in the early half of the 20th century.
Born and raised in Hampton, New Jersey, his parents were Thomas and Margaret Fleming Houston. His father, Thomas, was from Scotland, and had been blinded as a child in an accident. His father became a successful Presbyterian minister, and was called, respectfully, "the blind evangelist". George Houston attended his fathers services, and learned to sing through the church.
Although Hollywood would later advertise that George Houston attended Rutgers University, he did not. Instead, he attended Blair Academy, in New Jersey, where he ran track, then later he attended the "Institute of Musical Art", the original name for what would eventually become Juilliard School. Houston received two degrees, one in voice, and one for teaching music.
Houston joined the US Army, serving in France during World War I, attached to the 17th French Division, in the Ambulance Service. His military service ran from June 5, 1917 to April 12, 1919.
In 1923 he began studying at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. Houston garnered leading bass roles in such operas as Boris Godunov and Faust under the direction of Vladimir Rosing. Members of Rosing's opera department soon spun off into the American Opera Company, touring the United States and Canada successfully for several years until the Depression grounded the promising venture in 1930. Highlights for Houston included a performance of Carmen with guest artist Mary Garden, a season at the Guild Theater on Broadway and a performance for President Coolidge in Washington, D.C. in December 1927.
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