Fatty Arbuckle

Date of Birth: March 24, 1887

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: June 29, 1933

Biography

Roscoe Conkling “Fatty” Arbuckle was an American silent film actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter who became one of the most popular and highest-paid stars of the early 20th century. Born on March 24, 1887, in Smith Center, Kansas, Arbuckle was known for his robust size and exceptional comedic timing. He began his career in vaudeville before transitioning to film work in the early 1900s. Arbuckle’s career skyrocketed with his work for the Keystone Film Company, where he became famous for his slapstick comedy and worked alongside other comedic legends such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Despite his success, Arbuckle’s career was marred by scandal in 1921 when he was accused of the rape and manslaughter of actress Virginia Rappe. Though he was acquitted after three trials, the scandal severely damaged his career and reputation. He made a brief comeback in the early 1930s, directing films under the pseudonym William Goodrich. Roscoe Arbuckle passed away on June 29, 1933, in New York City, just as he was beginning to rebuild his career.

5 Interesting Facts about Fatty Arbuckle

1. Fatty Arbuckle was one of the first actors to sign a million-dollar contract, which he did with Paramount Pictures in 1918.

2. He discovered and mentored Buster Keaton, who became one of the greatest silent film comedians of all time.

3. Arbuckle was a talented singer and often incorporated musical elements into his performances.

4. Despite his comedic persona, he was known for his generosity and kindness off-screen.

5. He directed over 40 films under the pseudonym William Goodrich after his acquittal.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Fatty Arbuckle

1. “No price is too high to pay for joy.”

2. “I don’t believe there is any finer mission on earth than just to make people laugh.”

3. “I’ve never used my weight to get laughs. I’ve just used my face, my eyes, and my smile.”

4. “I don’t want to be remembered as Fatty Arbuckle. I want to be remembered as Roscoe Arbuckle.”

5. “Comedy is a serious business. A serious business with only one purpose—to make people laugh.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Fatty Arbuckle’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million, which would be equivalent to approximately $40 million today when adjusted for inflation.