Richard Talmadge

Richard Talmadge (born Sylvester Alphonse Metz; 3 December 1892 – 25 January 1981) also known as Sylvester Metzetti, Ricardo Metzetti, or Sylvester Ricardo Metzetti, was a German-born American actor, stuntman and film director.

Early life Born in Germany in 1892, Talmadge arrived in Hollywood in 1910 and began his career as a stuntman (including a stint with Douglas Fairbanks) before becoming an actor himself. He began starring in silent action pictures in 1921, and began producing his own vehicles in 1923. His last silent feature, The Poor Millionaire (1930), was the very last silent production filmed in Hollywood (except for two Charlie Chaplin silent features that were released well after the advent of sound). His later work included How the West Was Won, The Greatest Story Ever Told and Casino Royale.

Personal life He was the stepfather of American polo pioneer Sue Sally Hale. His brothers, Otto and Victor Metzetti, both had success as stunt performers, and were members of the vaudeville troupe the Flying Metzettis, (or the Five Metzettis ) who were the first to perform the quadruple back somersault in 1917, at Barnum and Bailey's, with Richard as voltiguer. The family was close, with brothers Otto, Victor, and Leon working on the Richard Talmadge productions of the 1930s.

Death Talmadge died of cancer at the age of 88 on 25 January 1981, in Carmel, California. He is interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, his grave marked with the name "Richard Metzetti Talmadge". Pirate Treasure (1934, serial) The Fighting Pilot (1935) Now or Never (1935) The Live Wire (1935) Never Too Late (1935) Step on It (1936) The Speed Reporter (1936) Black Eagle (1948) Fortunes of Captain Blood (1950) Border Outlaws (1950) (director) Project Moonbase (1953) (director) I Killed Wild Bill Hickok (1956) (director) Casino Royale (1967) (director) (uncredited)