Ben Turpin
American actor (1869-1940) · United States · On the map · Actors · Died at 70
Bernard "Ben" Turpin was an American comedian and actor, best remembered for his work in silent films. His trademarks were his cross-eyed appearance and adeptness at vigorous physical comedy. A sometime vaudeville performer, he was "discovered" for film while working as the janitor for Essanay Studios in Chicago.
Ben Turpin is read about 90 times a day, in 30 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 104 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A life in dates
Saps at SeaFilm, 1940Cross-Eyed Plumber1935
Starlit Days at the LidoFilm1934
The Law of the WildFilm, Henry1931
Ambassador BillFilm, The Butcher1929
The Love ParadeFilm, Cross-Eyed Lackey (uncredited)1926
A Blonde's RevengeFilm, Gerald Montague1924
Ten Dollars or Ten DaysFilm, The Soda Clerk1921
A Small Town IdolFilm, Sam Smith1920
Charlie Butts InFilm1918
Chase Me CharlieFilm, Ben1915
A Burlesque on CarmenFilm, Remendados1909
Mr. FlipFilm, Mr. Flip1869Born19 September 1869Known for
View all 40 titles
Saps at Sea 1940
The Love Parade 1929
The Champion 1915
His New Job 1915
A Burlesque on Carmen 1915
People around Ben
Close ties
Charlie Chaplin Directed The Masquerader and His New Job
Wallace Beery Directed She Landed a Big One (1914)
Mack Sennett Produced The Masquerader and A Small Town Idol
Lloyd Bacon Also in The Champion and A Christmas Revenge
Broncho Billy Anderson Directed Mr. Flip and A Christmas Revenge
Leo White Also in His New Job and The Champion
Edward F. Cline Directed Million Dollar Legs and Broke in China
Victor Potel Also in A Bunch of Matches (1915)
Robert Bolder Also in His New Job (1915)
Harry Todd Also in A Christmas Revenge (1915)
Margaret Joslin Also in It Happened in Snakeville (1915)- Jess Robbins Produced His New Job and A Night Out
Roy Clements Directed It Happened in Snakeville (1915)
Leslie Goodwins Directed Holding His Own and Idle Eyes
Chester Conklin Also in The Masquerader and Hollywood Cavalcade
Jimmy Finlayson Also in A Small Town Idol and Saps at Sea
Erle C. Kenton Directed A Small Town Idol and Down on the Farm
F. Richard Jones Directed Yankee Doodle in Berlin (1919)
Del Lord Directed Yukon Jake and A Blonde's Revenge
Edna Purviance Also in The Champion and Burlesque on Carmen
Marie Prevost Also in Yankee Doodle in Berlin (1919)
Malcolm St. Clair Directed Hollywood Cavalcade (1939)
Billy Armstrong Also in His New Job and The Champion
Dave Morris Also in Broke in China and A Blonde's Revenge
Also in Deutsch
Filmography 40
161 credits on file
Media & music
Awards
About this person
Turpin went on to work with notable performers such as Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, and was a part of the Mack Sennett studio team. He is believed to have been the first filmed "victim" of the pie in the face gag. When sound came to films, Turpin chose to retire, having invested profitably in real estate, although he did do occasional cameos.
