It seemed like Edward Everett Horton appeared in just about every Hollywood comedy made in the 1930s. He was always the perfect counterpart to the great gentlemen and protagonists of the films. Like many others Horton came to the movies from the theatre stages, where he debuted in 1906. He made his film debut in 1922. Unlike many of his silent-film colleagues, Horton contrast had no problems in adapting to the sound despite of his crackling voice. From 1932 to 1938 he worked a lot with Ernst Lubitsch and later with Frank Capra. He has appeared in more than 120 films, in addition to a body of work on TV.


Too Much Business (1922): $150/week

Interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA., in the Whispering Pines section at the top of the hill. Played the role of Professor Nick Potter in Holiday (1930) and again in the 1938 remake directed by George Cukor. Tommy Bond was a regular on Horton's radio show in the 1930's. According to an in-depth article by Eve Golden in "Classic Images" magazine, Edward's longtime companion was actor Gavin Gordon, who was 15 years his junior. Not much was ever documented on the couple. They appeared in one movie together - Pocketful of Miracles (1961). In the 1920s he acted in and managed the Majestic Theater in Los Angeles with his brother and business manager, George. Joined a Gilbert and Sullivan stock company in 1907 on Staten Island and performed in several shows, including "The Mikado". He went on to join several theatre companies in the 1910s, including the Orpheum Players in Philadelphia, The Baker Stock Company in Oregon, and the Crescent Theatre in Brooklyn. His parents, Edward Everett Horton Sr. and Isabella (Diack), were Scottish immigrants. He was the eldest of four children - George, Winter Davis, and Hannahbelle were his other siblings. The family remained close throughout their lives. Edward's mother lived with him until she died at the age of 101. His brothers and sister also spent their later years residing at his Encino estate.