Gayne Whitman (born Alfred D. Vosburgh; March 19, 1890 – August 31, 1958) was an American radio and film actor.[1] He appeared in more than 200 films between 1904 and 1957. In some early films, he was credited under his birth name. He was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Gayne Whitman
Whitman in 1916
Born
Alfred D. Vosburgh

(1890-03-19)March 19, 1890
DiedAugust 31, 1958(1958-08-31) (aged 68)
Other namesAlfred Whitman
OccupationActor
Years active1904-1957
SpouseEstelle Margaret Allen (1893-1970)

Whitman's theatrical debut came when he carried a spear behind an actor portraying King Richard III in a production in Indianapolis.[2]

Allen Vosburgh, he was the leading man in the film Princess of the Dark (1917). Soon after that, he changed his screen name to Alfred Whitman because "1917 was not a good time to have a German sounding name."[3]

Beginning in 1921, Whitman acted at the Morosco Theater in Los Angeles.[3] He returned to films in 1925 when he received a contract with Warner Bros.[4]

On radio, Whitman played the title role in Chandu the Magician,[5] was the narrator on Lassie[5]: 192-193  and Strange as It Seems,[5]: 319  and was an announcer on Paducah Plantation[5]: 264  and other programs.

Personal life

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Whitman was married to Estelle Taylor, an actress with a stock theater company in St. Louis.[2] On August 31, 1958, Whitman died of a heart attack in Los Angeles at age 68.[6]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ Kear, Lynn; Rossman, John (March 30, 2016). The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances. McFarland. ISBN 9781476602875. Retrieved January 13, 2019 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b "How Gayne Whitman Was Drawn Into Radio Work". The Honolulu Advertiser. Hawaii, Honolulu. March 21, 1937. p. 33. Retrieved April 6, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b Soister, John T.; Nicolella, Henry; Joyce, Steve (2014). American Silent Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Feature Films, 1913-1929. McFarland. pp. 467–468. ISBN 9780786487905. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  4. ^ "Gayne Whitman to Do Pictures". The Owensboro Messenger. Kentucky, Owensboro. April 16, 1925. p. 8. Retrieved April 6, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  6. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 77. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
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