Kenneth Alexander

Kenneth Alexander (March 3, 1887 – January 24, 1975) was a photographer for United Artists, 20th Century Studios and Samuel Goldwyn Productions. He was known for his celebrity portraiture, photographing such stars as Marlene Dietrich, Lillian Gish, Betty Blythe, and Vilma Bánky.

Early years

Kenneth Alexander (born Alexander Kenneth Alexander) was born in London on March 3, 1887, the son of Alexander Fyfe and Alice (née Austin). His family emigrated to New York in 1903 after which he studied art at the London Polytechnic and later at the New York School of Art.

In 1908 he joined Ernest Walter Histed in New York who specialised in low light dramatic portraiture. In 1910 he left Histed and operated a studio alone in Seattle, Washington, between 1910 and 1914, specialising in home portraiture. Alexander later established himself as a photographer in New York with a tagline, "Photographer of Women Exclusively",

After New York, Alexander moved to Los Angeles at the behest of Lillian Gish, who wanted him as a photographer on her film La Bohème. Alexander eventually settled in Hollywood, where he was employed by Sam Goldwyn Productions throughout the 1930s. 1932 – The Greeks Had a Word for Them (still photographer) 1933 – The Bowery (still photographer) 1933 – Roman Scandals (still photographer) 1934 – Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back (still photographer) 1934 – The Mighty Barnum (still photographer) 1935 – The Call of the Wild (still photographer) 1935 – Clive of India (still photographer)

Gallery