Paw Prints Anecdotes: Douglas Fairbanks

Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
(1883 –1939)

Douglas Fairbanks Anecdote...

As he was driving back to his mansion, Pickfair, Fairbanks saw an aristocratic Englishman with a familiar face walking along the road in the heat. He stopped to offer him a ride, which the stranger accepted. Unable to remember the man's name, Fairbanks invited him in for a drink, and in the course of conversation attempted to elicit some clues as to his visitor's identity. The Englishman seemed to know many of Fairbanks's friends and was evidently well acquainted with the estate, for he made approving comments on some recent changes. Eventually Fairbanks's secretary entered the room and Fairbanks whispered "Who's this Englishman? I know he's Lord Somebody, but I just can't remember his name."

"That," replied the secretary, "is the English butler you fired last month for getting drunk."

Quote-worthy...

“I never felt better in my life.” —Douglas Fairbanks,
reported last words

Biographical Note...

U.S. film actor. From 1901 to 1914, Fairbanks appeared on stage in light comedies. In 1915 he began making movies, becoming the swashbuckling hero of his day in such films as The Mark of Zorro (1921), The Three Musketeers (1921), Robin Hood (1922), and The Thief of Bagdad (1924). He was married (1920–35) to the star Mary Pickford, and together with Charlie Chaplin and D.W. Griffith they formed United Artists studio in 1919. His romance with Mary Pickford ("America's sweetheart") caught the imagination of fans all over the world.

More Information...

VISIT the Douglas Fairbanks Museum on the Web. Or find other books about Douglas Fairbanks for further reading.

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