Joseph Graybill was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 silent film

Silent film

A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...

 actor

Actor

An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...

. He appeared in several films directed by D.W. Griffith.

Graybill joined the Biograph Company around 1909 in New York City. By 1910 Griffith was the main director. Graybill worked with Biograph in 1911 in California.

Life

Joseph Graybill was born Harold Graybill in Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...

, Missouri

Missouri

Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...

 on April 14, 1887 to Clarence Frank and Henrietta ("Hattie") E. Graybill. For many years his mother, Henrietta E. Graybill, worked as a Christian Science

Christian Science

Christian Science is a system of thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible. It is practiced by members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist as well as some others who are nonmembers. Its central texts are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,...

 practitioner. He had a sister named Gladys. From 1894 to 1900 the family lived in Atchison, Kansas. The 1900 U.S. Federal Census shows Graybill, age 14, living in Atchison City, Kansas with his mother and sister. His occupation is listed as "at school". From 1901 to at least 1905 Graybill lived in Milwaukee.

Sometime between 1892 and 1903 Harold's father died. City directories for Kansas City show Frank C. Graybill in 1889 and 1891. A 1903 Milwaukee city directory lists Henrietta as the widow of a man named Frank. The 1905 Wisconsin census shows Harold Graybill living in Milwaukee with his mother and sister Gladys. Harold is listed with the occupation of actor.

Career

Very little is known about Graybill's film and stage career. It is unclear when Graybill left Milwaukee. His first appearance was in a film released in 1909 titled The Light That Came directed by D.W. Griffith.

A few newspaper accounts mention Graybill stage and film acting. In October 1910 Graybill performed in a play titled Miss Patsy (by Sewell Collins) at the (now demolished) Belasco Theatre in Washington, D.C. His character was named Dr. Philip Gentry. In May 1908 Graybill appeared in a performance of "The Witching Hour" by Augustus Thomas

Augustus Thomas

Augustus Thomas was an American playwright, born in St. Louis, Missouri. The son of a doctor, he worked a number of jobs including a page in the 41st Congress, studying law and gaining some practical railway work experience before he turned to journalism and became editor of the Kansas City Mirror...

 at a Cear Rapids, Iowa theater. In October 1909 he appeared in a performance of "Vasta Herne" by Edward Peple in Des Moines, Iowa. A newspaper review noted that the play opened the three weeks prior in Milwaukee.

A Wisconsin newspaper noted in July 1916 that a film titled "Saved From Himself" was reissued. The paper stated that Mabel Normand appeared opposite "the late Joseph Graybill. Mr. Graybill, it will be remembered, was a young actor of unusual promise who died three years ago."

Two photos of Graybill can be found in the book When the Movies Were Young by Linda Arvidson Griffith (1969). The photos depict scenes in "How She Triumphed

How She Triumphed

How She Triumphed is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - Mary* Vivian Prescott - Mary's Cousin* Joseph Graybill - The Sweetheart* Kate Bruce* Florence La Badie* Charles West...

" and "The Italian Barber

The Italian Barber

The Italian Barber is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Joseph Graybill and featuring Mary Pickford. The film, by the Biograph Company, was shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey when many early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based there at the...

".

Death

Graybill died in New York City on August 3, 1913 according to his death certificate. Different records state conflicting information as to the cause of death. The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) lists it as acute spinal meningitis. The first death notice in the New York Times contradicts the death certificate as to the day of death - it lists the cause of death on August 2nd as a nervous breakdown

Nervous breakdown

Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...

. An obituary on August 4th lists the cause as gastritis

Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, and has many possible causes. The main acute causes are excessive alcohol consumption or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic...

. Graybill's death certificate and the first death notice both note he entered Bellevue Hospital July 24th. The death certificate states that the cause of death was acute pachymeningitis and a contributory factor was alcohol poisoning.

Filmography

• The Wizard of the Jungle (1913) (as Joe Graybill) .... Captain Hanscombe
• Saving Mabel's Dad (1913)
• The God Within
  The God Within
  The God Within is a 1912 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives.-Cast:* Henry B. Walthall - The Woodsman* Claire McDowell - The Woodsman's Wife* Blanche Sweet - The Woman of the Camp...
  
   (1912) .... In Bar
• The Star of Bethlehem (1912) .... Roman messenger
• Brutality
  Brutality (film)
  -Cast:* Walter Miller - The Young Man* Mae Marsh - The Young Woman* Joseph Graybill - The Victim of Anger* Lionel Barrymore - At Wedding* Elmer Booth - In Play* Clara T. Bracy - At Wedding/At Theatre* William J. Butler - At Theatre* Harry Carey - At Theatre...
  
   (1912) .... The Victim of Anger
• The Informer
  The Informer (1912 film)
  The Informer is a 1912 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of the film survive at the film archive of the Library of Congress.-Cast:* Walter Miller - The Confederate Captain* Mary Pickford - The Confederate Captain's Sweetheart* Henry B...
  
   (1912) .... Union Soldier
• Gold and Glitter
  Gold and Glitter
  Gold and Glitter is a 1912 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and Frank Powell. Lillian Gish's role as the principal female was praised for its variety of emotion, in comparison to her previous roles.-Cast:* Elmer Booth - The Husband...
  
   (1912) .... Lumberman
• The Painted Lady
  The Painted Lady
  The Painted Lady is a 1912 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives.-Cast:*Blanche Sweet - The Older Sister*Madge Kirby - The Younger Sister*Charles Hill Mailes - Their Father...
  
   (1912) .... The Stranger
• The Ring of a Spanish Grandee (1912) .... The Suitor
• Rejuvenation (1912) .... The Lighthouse Keeper's Friend
• A Love of Long Ago (1912) .... Pedro, the Spy
• The Girl of the Grove (1912) .... The Wooer
• For Sale—A Life (1912) .... The Ill Husband
• The Root of Evil (1912)
• Flying to Fortune (1912) .... The Invalid Father
• The Arab's Bride (1912) .... The Buyer of the Moor's Daughter
• The Silent Witness (1912) .... The Blackmailer
• On Probation (1912) .... The Younger Brother
• A Blot on the 'Scutcheon (1912) .... A Nobleman
• The Voice of the Child
  The Voice of the Child
  The Voice of the Child is a 1911 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. The film was made by the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company when it and many other early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based in Fort Lee, New Jersey at the...
  
   (1911) .... The False Friend
• Saved from Himself (1911) .... The Young Clerk
• The Failure (1911) .... At Fiancée's House
• Through Darkened Vales
  Through Darkened Vales
  Through Darkened Vales is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - Grace* Grace Henderson - Grace's Mother* Charles West - Dave* Joseph Graybill - Howard* Edwin August...
  
   (1911) .... Howard
• The Battle (1911) .... A Union Officer
• Love in the Hills
  Love in the Hills
  Love in the Hills is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - The Girl* Wilfred Lucas - The Manley Suitor* Charles West - The Shiftless Suitor* Joseph Graybill - The City Suitor...
  
   (1911) .... The City Suitor
• The Long Road
  The Long Road (film)
  The Long Road is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - Edith* Grace Henderson - Edith's Mother* Charles West - Ned* Claire McDowell - Ned's Wife* Edna Foster - Ned's Son...
  
   (1911) .... In Bar
• The Adventures of Billy (1911) .... Second Tramp
• Italian Blood (1911)
• The Making of a Man (1911) .... Actor/Backstage
• The Baron (1911) .... The Baron's Friend
• The Diving Girl (1911) .... A Bather
• Out from the Shadow
  Out from the Shadow
  Out from the Shadow is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - Mrs. Vane* Edwin August - Mr. Vane* Jeanie Macpherson - The Young Widow* Donald Crisp - At Dance* John T...
  
   (1911)
• The Last Drop of Water
  The Last Drop of Water
  The Last Drop of Water is a 1911 short silent Western film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives...
  
   (1911) .... John
• A Country Cupid
  A Country Cupid
  A Country Cupid is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - Edith* Edwin August - Jack* Edna Foster - Billy* Joseph Graybill - The Half-Wit...
  
   (1911) .... The Half-Wit
• Bobby, the Coward (1911) .... First Thug
• The Primal Call
  The Primal Call
  The Primal Call is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Wilfred Lucas and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - The Fisherman* Claire McDowell - The Woman* Grace Henderson - The Woman's Mother...
  
   (1911) .... The Millionaire
• Enoch Arden: Part II (1911) .... Dead Shipmate
• Enoch Arden: Part I (1911) .... A Shipwrecked Sailor
• A Romany Tragedy (1911)
• The White Rose of the Wilds
  The White Rose of the Wilds
  The White Rose of the Wilds is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. -Cast:* Blanche Sweet - White Rose* Robert Harron - White Rose's Brother* W. Chrystie Miller - White Rose's Father...
  
   (1911) .... Second Outlaw
• The Crooked Road (1911) .... An Evil Companion
• The New Dress
  The New Dress
  The New Dress is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Wilfred Lucas and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - Jose* Dorothy West - Marta* W...
  
   (1911) .... At Wedding/At Market/At Cafe
• How She Triumphed
  How She Triumphed
  How She Triumphed is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - Mary* Vivian Prescott - Mary's Cousin* Joseph Graybill - The Sweetheart* Kate Bruce* Florence La Badie* Charles West...
  
   (1911) .... The Sweetheart
• Madame Rex (1911)
• Priscilla and the Umbrella
  Priscilla and the Umbrella
  Priscilla and the Umbrella is a 1911 short silent comedy film directed by Frank Powell and Mack Sennett, starring Florence Barker and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Florence Barker - Priscilla* Joseph Graybill - Paul...
  
   (1911) (as Joe Graybill) .... Paul
• Priscilla's April Fool Joke
  Priscilla's April Fool Joke
  Priscilla's April Fool Joke is a 1911 short silent comedy film directed by Frank Powell, starring Florence Barker and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Florence Barker - Priscilla* Joseph Graybill - Harry* Edward Dillon - Paul...
  
   (1911) .... Harry
• The Lonedale Operator
  The Lonedale Operator
  The Lonedale Operator is a 1911 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City....
  
   (1911) (uncredited) .... A Tramp
• Teaching Dad to Like Her (1911) .... Harry
• Was He a Coward?
  Was He a Coward?
  Was He a Coward? is a 1911 short silent Western film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - Norris Hilton...
  
   (1911) .... Hilton's Friend
• Conscience (1911) .... The Hunter
• A Decree of Destiny
  A Decree of Destiny
  A Decree of Destiny is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Mary Pickford and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Joseph Graybill - Kenneth Marsden* Marion Sunshine - Edith* Mary Pickford - Mary* Clara T...
  
   (1911) .... Kenneth Marsden
• The Heart of a Savage (1911)
• Fisher Folks (1911) .... At Fair
• His Trust
  His Trust
  His Trust is a 1911 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. It concerns "The faithful devotion and self- sacrifice of an old negro servant," who is played in blackface. The film's sequel is His Trust Fulfilled. Prints of the film survive in the film archives of the Museum of Modern Art and the...
  
   (1911) .... Union soldier
• Help Wanted (1911) .... Jack
• The Italian Barber
  The Italian Barber
  The Italian Barber is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Joseph Graybill and featuring Mary Pickford. The film, by the Biograph Company, was shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey when many early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based there at the...
  
   (1911) .... Tony
• Winning Back His Love (1910) .... At Stage Door
• White Roses (1910) .... At Party
• The Lesson (1910) .... James, Reverend Hollister's Son
• His Sister-In-Law (1910)
• Happy Jack, a Hero (1910)
• Turning the Tables (1910) .... Mr. Peck
• Effecting a Cure (1910) .... On Street
• The Fugitive
  The Fugitive (1910 film)
  The Fugitive is a 1910 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of the film survive at the film archive of the Library of Congress and at George Eastman House.-Cast:* Kate Bruce - Confederate Mother* Edward Dillon - John, Confederate Son* Clara T...
  
   (1910)
• The Broken Doll (1910) .... Victim of Massacre
• In Life's Cycle (1910) .... In Bar
• An Old Story with a New Ending (1910) .... Jay Downs
• When We Were in Our Teens (1910) .... Howard
• The House with Closed Shutters
  The House with Closed Shutters
  The House with Closed Shutters is a 1910 drama film directed by D.W. Griffith. Prints of the film exist in the film archives of the Museum of Modern Art, George Eastman House and the Library of Congress. -Cast:* Henry B...
  
   (1910) .... Her suitor
• An Arcadian Maid (1910) .... In Gambling Hall
• The Call to Arms (1910) .... The Lord's Cousin
• As the Bells Rang Out! (1910) .... Wedding Guest
• A Flash of Light
  A Flash of Light
  A Flash of Light is a 1910 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Charles West and featuring Mary Pickford and Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Charles West - John Rogers* Vivian Prescott - Belle* Stephanie Longfellow - The Older Sister...
  
   (1910) .... Horace Dooley
• What the Daisy Said
  What the Daisy Said
  What the Daisy Said is a one-reel film made by D. W. Griffith for Biograph in 1910.-Plot:Two farm sisters are feeling romantic and looking for suitors. Mary consults a gypsy who gives her a fortune that promotes his intentions to seduce her...
  
   (1910) (uncredited) .... The Gypsy
• A Midnight Cupid (1910) .... At Party
• Muggsy's First Sweetheart (1910) .... One of Muggsy's Friends
• A Child's Impulse (1910) .... The Other Man
• The Marked Time-Table (1910) .... Tom Powers
• The Face at the Window (1910) .... Ralph Bradford's Son
• A Victim of Jealousy (1910) .... At Reception/In Office
• The Purgation (1910) .... One of the Misguided Youths
• The Light That Came (1909)

Stage

• Miss Patsy by Sewell Collins
• Vasta Herne by Edward Peple
• The Witching Hour by Augustus Thomas
  Augustus Thomas
  Augustus Thomas was an American playwright, born in St. Louis, Missouri. The son of a doctor, he worked a number of jobs including a page in the 41st Congress, studying law and gaining some practical railway work experience before he turned to journalism and became editor of the Kansas City Mirror...
  
  

Further reading

• Griffith, Linda Arvidson. When the Movies Were Young. New York: Dover Publications, 1969. This book was first published in 1925. In the introduction to the 1969 version Edward Wagenknecht writes that the book "...was one of the earliest volumes containing eye witness testimony to the conditions under which early motion pictures were made." Linda Arvidson was married to director D.W. Griffith in 1906 and later divorced.
• Ragan, David. Who's Who in Hollywood, 1900-1976. New Rochelle, NY: Arlington House Publishers, 1976.
• Truitt, Evelyn Mack. Who Was Who on Screen, 2nd ed. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1977.
• Truitt, Evelyn Mack. Who Was Who on Screen, 3rd ed. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1983.

External links