ANY screen stars were "born in the profession," but Noah Beery
secured all his "luck" from environment, if that word means anything.
Noah was destined to become one of the Noah Beery and his son, Noah junior.
prize villains of pictures, at birth, so what could have been more appropriate
than his selection of a birthplace on a Missouri farm, next door to the
place where the famous James lmys first saw the light of day?
Mr. Beery says the only reason he went on the stage was that he wanted
to go on it. He didn't know why, and it could not have been heredity, for
his parents were not professional people. Although quite young, he had an
excellent baritone voice, and it was his ability as a singer that brought
him his first engagement in a musical act produced by Oscar Hammerstein,
on the old Victoria Theater roof in New York. Because of his excellent stature
he was given the role of George Washington. A year later he went with William
A. Brady and remained with that producer six years. Among the productions
in which he appeared were "Way Down East," "My Man,"
"As Ye Sow" and others. In "As Ye Sow" Douglas Fairbanks
had a light comedy role.
Twelve years ago Mr. Beery made one venture into pictures at five dollars
a day. The illness of one of his little boys brought him to Los Angeles
several years ago, and he entered motion pictures again. The first production
in which he appeared was "The Mormon Maid."
Wallace Beery, who also has attained fame on the screen, is a protege
of Noah, who rescued him from a circus one summer, took him to New York
and started him on a stage career.
Mr. Beery, his wife and three boys live in the Hollywood foothills, where
he has what is considered one of the most beautiful homes in Southern California.
His holdings there include several acres. He has several fine dogs and horses
and enjoys hunting on his own land.
Mr. Beery is six feet and one inch in height and weighs 200 pounds. He
has coal-black hair and dark brown eyes. |