Claude Gillingwater

Claude Benton Gillingwater was an American stage and screen actor. He first appeared on the stage then in 92 films between 1918 and 1939, including the Academy Awardnominated A Tale of Two Cities and Conquest . He appeared in several films starring Shirley Temple, beginning with Poor Little Rich Girl .

Gillingwater was born in Louisiana, Missouri. Though he studied law, he preferred not to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a lawyer. He became a travelling salesman for a wholesale firm, selling vinegar. While thus engaged he seized the opportunity of filling a vacancy in a small theatrical company with David Belasco. Eight years later, Mary Pickford saw him acting and secured him for her picture, Little Lord Fauntleroy , which started off his film career.

Source: Wikipedia