Thomas Meighan
| Thomas Meighan | |
|---|---|
 |
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| President of The Lambs | |
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In office 1924–1926 |
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| Preceded by | Albert Oldfield Brown |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Alfred Wise |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 9, 1879 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 8, 1936 (aged 57) Great Neck, New York |
| Spouse(s) | Frances Ring (1909–1936) |
| Occupation | Actor |
Thomas Meighan (April 9, 1879 – July 8, 1936) was an American actor of silent films and early talkies. He played several leading man roles opposite popular actresses of the day including Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson. At one point he commanded $10,000 a week.
Meighan was born to John and Mary Meighan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was the president of Pittsburgh Facing Mills and his family was well off.
Meighan's parents encouraged him to go to college but he refused. At the age of 15 his father sent him to work shoveling coal which quickly changed his mind. He attended St. Mary's College studying pharmacology. After 3 years of study Meighan decided he wished to pursue acting.
After dropping out of college in 1896 Meighan became a juvenile player in the Pittsburgh Stock Company headed by Henrietta Crosman. He was paid $35 a week.
Meighan soon found success. He first appeared on Broadway in 1900. In 1904 Meighan appeared in "The Two Orphans". His breakthrough role came in 1908 when he appeared with William Collier Sr. in "The Dictator". That was followed by a leading role in "The College Widow", which had a successful run on Broadway for the 1907–1908 season. It was during this run he met his wife Frances Ring.
Despite his film career Meighan remained devoted to the theatre during his life.
In 1914 he abandoned theatre for the new movie industry; which was still in its infancy at the time. His first film was shot in London, titled "Dandy Donovan, the Gentleman Cracksman". This film led to a contract with Famous Players-Lasky. His first US film was in 1915, "The Fighting Hope". During the next 2 years Meighan's career would take off. In 1918 he made a propaganda film for World War I titled, "Norma Talmadge and Thomas Meighan in a Liberty Loan Appeal". He then played opposite Mary Pickford in M'Liss.
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