Douglas Fairbanks: The King of Old Hollywood

Today I am thrilled to answer the many requests that I received after my Mary Pickford video. I am following up with one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures: Douglas Fairbanks. Douglas Fairbanks was born Douglas Elton Thomas Ullman on May 23, 1883, in Denver, Colorado. His mom was married three times, and Douglas got his last name from his mom’s first husband, John Fairbanks. Douglas Fairbanks was notorious for pulling pranks and stunts as a young man. It seems like he was always a performer in some ways, and he always had this sense of adventure that would become one of the defining elements of his on-screen persona.

He started acting as a kid, performing in summer stock and other local productions in Denver, and at the age of 15, dropped out of school so he could tour with Frederick Warde’s acting troupe. By 1902 he already had his first Broadway role in Her Lord and Master. He got married to Anna Beth Sully and in 1909 they would have Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. who you’ve probably heard of because he later became a famous actor himself.

The Fairbanks family made the move to Los Angeles in 1915, and Douglas Fairbanks soon started working for D.W. Griffith, who you may remember his future wife Mary Pickford was working for. The two wouldn’t meet then though, they would meet a little later, becoming fast friends after meeting at a party. Douglas Fairbanks star was rapidly rising during this time. He became known for his bright, cheerful personality and his athleticism. He even wrote a book in his early days called Laugh and Live, which is pretty much 100 pages of saying that all you in need in life is a good attitude and a good workout.

Douglas Fairbanks and his second wife, Mary Pickford.

Since Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were both married when they met, they tried to maintain a true friendship, but when the US reached out to Hollywood for help promoting Liberty Bonds for World War I, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Charlie Chaplin all agreed to sign on. They traveled by train to major rallies across the country, and by the time they returned, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were surely in love.

Douglas Fairbanks divorced his wife, and then gave Mary Pickford - who was still married to actor Owen Moore - an ultimatum. Either she get divorced too, or the two of them were over. Mary went to Nevada to get her divorce, and though divorce still pretty controversial at the time - the world was ecstatic when she and Douglas Fairbanks announced their marriage. They were Hollywood’s first celebrity couple, and practically royalty.

Mary and Douglas started working together too. Their stint promoting liberty bonds was their first opportunity to see their star power in real life and the crowds they drew were massive! But at the same time the studios were working hard trying to minimize their creative freedom and their salaries. Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and DW Griffith teamed up to create United Artists, a studio intended to give the power back to the actors instead of being reliant on commercial studios. Believe it or not - United Artists existed in some form or another until just a few years ago!

Mary Pickford, D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks teamed up to create United Artists, a studio intended to give the power back to the actors instead of being reliant on commercial studios.

Douglas started acting in big action-adventure films - movies like The Mask of Zorro, The Three Musketeers, The Thief of Baghdad and Robin Hood. He defined the swashbuckler genre of films. These movies that had clear heroes and villains, sword fights, damsels in distress. Douglas did all of his own stunts, and if he wasn’t already one of the biggest actors in the world, this era really solidified it.

In the meantime, Douglas and Mary were living up to their golden reputation. They spent every night together for 7 years. They were the first celebrities to put their hand and footprints in cement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theater. They were always hosting parties for family and friends at their gorgeous Pickfair estate. They wanted to set a good example and support the communities around them. They often hosted philanthropic events together.

As the film industry transitioned to sound, Douglas Fairbanks saw some of his peers struggling, and co-founded the Motion Picture Relief Fund which deducted a small portion of studio workers’ paychecks to give to those in need. Then, in 1927, he co-founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and hosted the very first Academy Awards at the Roosevelt Hotel. Which, if you’re ever in LA I highly recommend, it’s one of my very, very favorite spots to go.

Douglas Fairbanks saw some of his peers struggling, and co-founded the Motion Picture Relief Fund which deducted a small portion of studio workers’ paychecks to give to those in need.

Unfortunately, Douglas Fairbanks didn’t fare so well after sound himself. He simply wasn’t enthusiastic about it, and after years of heavy smoking, his health wasn’t great either. He did make a few talkie - or at least part-talkie films - including The Iron Mask and The Taming of the Shrew with Mary Pickford. We also maybe wouldn’t have the ultra-prestigious USC Film school without Douglas Fairbanks. In collaboration with The Academy, USC became the first university to offer a bachelor’s in cinema, and Professor Fairbanks taught Introduction to Photoplay. I could not imagine having him as a professor!

And in other news, you know what they say - once a cheater, always a - well…

In 1933, Douglas Fairbanks began an affair with Lady Sylvia Ashley and by 1936 he and Mary Pickford would divorce so he could marry Lady Ashley later that year in Paris. They spent most of their final days traveling, but Douglas Fairbanks would pass away in 1939 at just 56 years old of a heart attack. In true Douglas Fairbanks fashion, his final words were, “I’ve never felt better." He is buried at Hollywood Forever, in a tomb with a long reflecting pool commissioned in his honor. This is so LA to say, but I have actually spent many mornings taking yoga class in that very spot. It’s beautiful.

Douglas Fairbanks and Lady Ashley married in 1933.

Between his films, his businesses, and his philanthropic work, Douglas Fairbanks’ impact on the industry is immeasurable. What are you favorite Douglas Fairbanks films?