Joe Keaton

Joseph Hallie Keaton (July 6, 1867 – January 13, 1946) was an American vaudeville performer, eccentric dancer and silent film actor. He was the father of actor Buster Keaton and appeared with his son in several films.

Life and career Keaton was born a few miles south of Terre Haute, Indiana, to Libbie Jane and Joseph Francis Keaton IV.

On May 31, 1894, Joe Keaton eloped with Myra Edith Cutler, who became known as Myra Keaton. Myra performed with Joe in a vaudeville act called the Two Keatons. Joe and Myra's first child was Joseph Frank Keaton, who became known as the silent film actor Buster Keaton; their other children were Harry Keaton and Louise Keaton.

When Buster was only a few years old, he joined the act, which became the Three Keatons. The act was a rough-and-tumble one, with Buster being thrown around on stage most of the time. As the years went by, Joe Keaton became an alcoholic; when Buster was 21, Myra left him, taking Buster with her. However, after Buster found success in silent film, he supported Joe and gave him small parts in several movies. Myra and Joe reunited, but eventually split up again. He lived alone in a Hollywood hotel for many years. He stopped drinking with the help of a girlfriend who was a Christian Scientist.

Death Joe Keaton died on January 13, 1946, at his home in Hollywood after a long illness, according to the New York Times. However, Buster later said he was hit by a car, and state death records show that he died in Ventura. He was buried in Inglewood Cemetery in Inglewood, California, in an unmarked grave. In 2018, Keaton fans around the world raised the necessary funds and had the grave marked with a headstone.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1917 A Country Hero Cy Klone, Garage OwnerShort1918 Out West Man on train The Bell Boy Guest Good Night, Nurse! Man in bandagesShort, uncredited1920 The Scarecrow Farmer Convict 13 Prisoner Short Neighbors His father 1921 The Goat Minor role Short, uncredited1922 The Electric House Buster's Father in Prologue Day Dreams The Girls Father 1923 Our Hospitality The Engineer 1924 Sherlock Jr. The Girl's Father 1925 Go West Man in Barber Shop Uncredited 1926 The General Union General #1 1928 Steamboat Bill, Jr. The Coiffure Unconfirmed, uncredited 1934 Evelyn Prentice Court Reporter Unconfirmed, uncredited 1935 Palooka from Paducah Pa Diltz Short (final film role)

Television Year Title Role Notes 2017 Compression Unknown Achieve footage, posthumously release