User:GAOfficial/Fred Bronze
| Fred Bronze | |
|---|---|
| File:HNI 0072.JPG Bronze in 1993. | |
| Summary | |
| Born: | May 12, 1916 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Died: | July 30, 1993 (aged 77) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Cause of death: | Kidney failure |
| Years active: | 1920–1939 |
| Spouse: | Anne Bronze (m. 1938–1983; her death) |
| Children: | Bruce (1939-1972) son Fred Jr. (1942-1997) son Brenda (b. 1944) daughter |
| Parents: | Robert Bronze (1885-1939) father Mildred Bronze (1890-1964) mother |
| Relatives: | three grandchildren two great-grandchildren |
Frederick Robert "Fred" Bronze (May 12, 1916 – July 30, 1993) was an American silent film actor whose career spanned from 1920 to 1939. Bronze was successful in three films, which include, "The Navigator" playing as the Pirate's wheel. During the 1930's, Bronze's career lowered because he liked it better when it was the silent era. Bronze died from kidney failure on July 30, 1993, aged 77.
Life and career
Early life
Fred Bronze was born in Los Angeles, California on May 12, 1916, the first of three children of Robert Bronze (March 9, 1885 – December 15, 1939) and Mildred Bronze (May 19, 1890 – October 24, 1964). He has two younger siblings, Robert Jr. (January 6, 1919 – April 6, 2008) and Brenda (March 18, 1921 – April 19, 1995). His father served in World War I from 1917 until 1918. His mother made toys during the 1910's to the 1920's. According to an interview from 1988, he claimed his ancestry came from Russia or Ukraine. He never took school and went on acting at age 4.
Silent era
Bronze started his career at the age of 4, and appearing in his first role in The Kid (1921), as a mirror. He also starred in Sherlock Holmes (1922) and The Navigator (1924), but was uncredited in He Who Gets Slapped (1924). By 1926, Bronze was considered one of the highest paid silent child stars. In 1928, Bronze was turned down for a role in The Crowd (1928), in which the role was taken by James Murray.
Talkies
In 1931, Bronze didn't like the talkies. He founded it better when the films were silent (according to an interview from 1988). He only starred in one talking film, which was Gone With The Wind (1939).
Retirement, World War II and Churches
During the 1940s, Bronze served in World War II. During the 1950s, he worked as a carpenter. He wanted to try again on acting, but he missed the silent era. In 1967, Bronze retired from being a carpenter. During the 1970s, he worked as a bronze bell, that rings at churches. He was earning at $200 a day. That just got Bronze his spirit back.
Last years and death
Bronze's wife Anne died on her 65th birthday on July 25, 1983, five days after the two celebrated their 45th anniversary. In July 1988, Bronze was suddenly diagnosed with kidney failure. He underwent treatment for his kidneys around 1989 and 1990. But by 1992, his health started to decline. On May 12, 1993, Bronze was able to celebrate his 77th birthday. But on July 30, 1993, Bronze died at his home in Los Angeles, five years after being diagnosed with kidney failure. He was 77 years old. Memorial service was held on August 4, 1993. He was survived by his two children, Fred Jr. and Brenda, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Filmography
Bronze appeared in a total of 15 films. Most of his roles were uncredited because he never signed for MGM. Few of them were released from Universal Studios.
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Kid | 1921 | Mirror | |
| Sherlock Holmes | 1922 | Mirror | |
| Nosferatu | 1922 | Light switch | Uncredited |
| The Navigator | 1924 | Wheel | |
| He Who Gets Slapped | 1924 | Unknown | Uncredited |
| The Gold Rush | 1925 | The dog | |
| The Big Parade | 1925 | Mirror | Uncredited |
| The Merry Widow | 1925 | Mirror | Uncredited |
| Flesh and the Devil | 1926 | Pirate hat | |
| 3 Bad Men | 1926 | Unknown | Uncredited |
| Metropolis | 1927 | Robot | |
| The Circus | 1928 | Lion | |
| All Quiet on the Western Front | 1930 | Butterfly | |
| Gone With The Wind | 1939 | Dress maker |