(Courtesy of Jack Tillmany) Mid 1920s
(Courtesy of Donna Patterson) 1935 |
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(From Old Corral collection) 1939
(From Old Corral collection) 1946 |
On the trail of Charles La Fayette King, Jr. (1895 - 1957) |
Various tradezines from about 1917 - late 1920s have lots about Charlie and his years doing "Mike and Ike" and "The Excuse Makers" comedy shorts for the Stern Brothers and Universal. Below are a few about his early movie period ... and marriage and alimony problems:
- March 15, 1925 Film Daily: "Jack Singleton and Charles King are now part of the Century stock company."
- April 11, 1925 Moving Picture World: "Among the most recent additions to the Century lot are Charles King, a featured character actor in many Universal pictures ..."
- June 16, 1926 Variety: "Charles L. King, screen actor, was given a week to pay $100 back alimony to Pauline D. King, his wife. When King pleaded there was no screen work for him at the time, Judge Gates gave him a suspended sentence, but ordered him to find other work."
- July 14, 1926 Variety: "Charles L. King, Jr., screen juvenile, was ordered to pay Pauline Dorothy King, actress and his wife (unreadable dollar amount) back alimony."
- March 30, 1927 Variety - Headline "KING LEAVES STERNS" ; "Charles King, comedian for the past three years with Stern Bros., who make Century Comedies, has quit and is now free-lancing."
- April 20, 1927 Variety: Headline: "Up 15th Time for Alimony, King Pays, Escapes Jail." Excerpt: "After having been in court 15 times over a matter of $15 a week alimony for his wife and child, the judge decided that the conduct of Charles L. King, screen actor, was becoming irksome. He sentenced him to 30 days in jail."
Family Search (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), California Death Index, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Death Certificate, newspapers and trade publications provide more on Charlie King anf family. Some tidbits:
Existing King biographies have him born in Hillsboro, Texas (which is about 60 miles south of Dallas and Fort Worth). That appears to be incorrect. On his World War I and World War II draft registrations, Charlie listed his birth location as Whitesboro, Texas which is about 80 miles north of Dallas and Fort Worth. Charlie and his father are interred at Oak Wood Cemetery, Whitesboro, Grayson County, Texas.
Charlie and first wife Pauline Dorothy Nelson had two sons, Charles Lafayette King III (1920 - 1990) and William Nelson King (1923 - 2005). At the time of the 1930 census, Charlie and Pauline were divorced and the two boys were living apart - Charles III was with Charlie in Los Angeles and William was living with Pauline's mother in Long Beach, California.
Marriage number two was to Dorothy G. Klauber in 1927 and the marriage license has her occupation as "Actress - Stage". Her mother's maiden name was Murray, and Dorothy's stage name was "Dorothy Murray".
There was a third marriage - to Ellen Etoile Dier who was born about 1911 in British Columbia. Son Robert Lafayette King was born February 9, 1928. Etoile and Charlie are living with Etoile's mother Gertrude Dier in the 1930 census and the info is a confusing mess (and I've highlighted that below with an ❋). In the 1940 census, they're married. But there's no trace of Robert in those 1930 and 1940 census records (which could be an error by the census taker).
- 1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.
- 1900 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Whitesboro, Grayson County, Texas are 42 year old Chas King (born Georgia; occupation "Physician"), his 37 year old wife Elizabeth (born Kentucky), 12 year old daughter Ruth (born Texas), 8 year old daughter Margarett (born Texas), 5 year old son Chas L. King (born Texas) and 3 year old daughter Hilda (born Texas). Also living there are Chas King's father and mother, 66 year old Samuel R. King (born Georgia) and 58 year old Elizabeth J. King (born Georgia), and Agnes Ward (born Pennsylvania) who is listed as a ward: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3G6-T9G
- 1910 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 147 East Main Street, Whitesboro, Grayson County, Texas are 51 year old Charles L. King (born Mississippi; occupation "Physician"), his 46 year old wife Evelyn (born Kentucky), 18 year old daughter Marguerite (born Texas), 15 year old son Charley (born Texas) and 12 year old daughter Hilda (born Texas): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2SM-4SD
- World War I draft registration dated June 5, 1917 - 22 year old Charles La Fayette King Jr. was born February 21, 1895 in Whitesboro, Texas. He is single; lives at 1657 Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles; occupation is "Actor - Universal Film Co., University City, California: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-91SL-YW8?i=113&cc=1968530
- World War I military record for Charles La Fayette King, born 1895. You may want to sign up for a free account at Family Search. Then you can view the record - Charles La Fayette King was living in Whitesboro, Grayson County, Texas. He was 23 years and 5 months old when he enlisted on August 5, 1918 at the Navy Recruiting Station, Dallas, Texas. His job was "Landsman Electrician Radio" and he trained at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois from August - November, 1918. Military discharge date was February 18, 1919: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-8QNX
- December 14, 1919 marriage license of 25 year old Charles L. King (born Texas) and 21 year old Pauline D. Nelson (born Arizona) in Los Angeles. First marriage for both. His occupation is "Moving Pictures"; no occupation listed for her. His father was C. L. King (born Georgia) and mother's maiden name was Hester (born Kentucky). Her parents were W. H. Nelson (born Ohio) and mother's maiden name was Walker (born California):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8ZR-92G
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-HS6J-K?i=1346&cc=1804002
- 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - 24 year old Charles King (born Texas) and 21 year old wife Pauline D. (born Arizona) are renting in a multi-unit or apartment building on Hudson Avenue, Los Angeles. His occupation is "Actor - Motion picture": https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQN-M1H
- California Birth Index for son Charles L. King, born December 30, 1920 in Los Angeles, and mother's maiden name was Nelson: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLBG-YKH
- California Birth Index for son William N. King, born June 12, 1923 in Los Angeles, and mother's maiden name was Nelson: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGHD-D2G
- April 5, 1927 marriage license of 32 year old Charles L. King Jr. (born Texas) and 18 year old Dorothy G. Klauber (born New York) in Los Angeles. Her first marriage and his second. His occupation is "Actor, Universal Motion Pictures", and parents were Chas L. King (born Georgia) and Evelyn Hester (born Kentucky). Her occupation is "Actress - Stage" and parents were Samuel Klauber and Minnie Murray (both born New York):
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93H-Q9ST-T?i=533&cc=1804002
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893H-Q9QC-H?i=534&cc=1804002
- California Birth Index for son Robert Lafayette King, born February 9, 1928 in Los Angeles and mother's maiden name was Dyer [sic]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGSJ-X1S
- ❋ 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - and this is a confusing mess. Renting at 172 North Mariposa Street, Los Angeles are 43 year old widow Gertrude Dier (born Canada; occupation "Bond Underwriter"). Rooming with her are 34 year old Charles King (born Texas; divorced; World War I veteran; occupation "Actor - Theater") and his 9 year old son Charles King. Head of household is 19 year old Etoule Cornelius (born about 1911 in Canada; widowed) and her 2 year old son William Cornelius (born California): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCVZ-6JC
- 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet for Pauline's mother - renting at 1855 East Ausheim, Long Beach, California are 57 year old Georgia P. Nelson (born California; occupation "Manager - Hotel") and 6 year old grandson William N. King (born California): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJG-4WM
- 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - 45 year old Charles King Jr. (born Whitesboro but no state is mentioned) and 29 year old wife Etoile (born Canada) are among many renters at a multi-unit apartment or hotel at 1422 Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles. His occupation is "Actor - Motion Pictures", and in 1939, he worked 40 weeks and earned $5000.00. Son Robert Lafayette King, who was born in 1928, is not listed, but that could be an error by the census taker: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9H4-6LC
- 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning a home in Los Angeles are 40 year old Dorothy King (born Arizona; divorced), her 16 year old son Bill King (born California) and two lodgers. No occupation listed for Dorothy: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9H2-XPZ
- World War II draft registration - 47 year old Charles La Fayette King Jr. was born February 21, 1895 in Whitesboro, Texas. Lives at 537 North Arden Boulevard, Los Angeles. Occupation is "Freelance Motion Picture Actor" and employer is Darmour Studio and Screen Actors Guild. His height and weight were 5' 11" and 210 pounds: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-4Q94-2X?i=80&cc=1861144
- Death certificate - 62 year old Charles Lafeyette King was born February 21, 1895 in Texas. (And middle name is spelled LafEyette, not LafAyette.) He was divorced; occupation was "Actor - Motion Picture Studio"; and he resided at 4941 Bellaire Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles. Mother's name was unknown; his father was Charles Lafeyettee Sr. (born Kentucky). Charlie passed away on May 7, 1957 at the John Wesley County Hospital, Los Angeles, and cause of death was hepatic coma and antecedent causes were cirrhosis and chronic alcoholism. Funeral director was Vernon F. Steen and cremation at Grand View Crematory. Death certificate informant was Charles S. King (Charlie's son ?).
- California Death Index mirrors the death certificate - Charles Lafeyette King was born February 21, 1895 in Texas, and he passed away May 7, 1957 in the Los Angeles area: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPWC-PNL
- May 9, 1957 Variety had a funeral announcement: "Services for Charles King, 59, western actor ... will be held Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Steen Mortuary, North Hollywood."
Find A Grave website notes that Charlie and his father are interred at Oak Wood Cemetery, Whitesboro, Grayson County, Texas:
Charlie: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=87441452
Dr. Charles L. King I: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=24960492
Charlie's first wife, Pauline Dorothy Nelson (1891 - 1981):
Charlie married Pauline Dorothy Nelson on December 14, 1919 in Los Angeles, and they had two sons, Charles King III (1910 - 1990) and William Nelson King (1923 - 2005). They divorced in the mid 1920s. In the 1930 census, their two sons were living apart - Charles III was with Charlie in Los Angeles and William was with Pauline's mother in Long Beach, California.
In 1946, Pauline married noted movie still photographer Sherman Clark (1900 - 1978).
Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Sherman Clark: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0164510
Charlie's second wife, Dorothy Klauber / stage name of "Dorothy Murray":
Charlie married 18 year old Dorothy G. Klauber on April 5, 1927 in Los Angeles, and her occupation was "Actress - Stage". Her mother's maiden name was Murray, and Dorothy's stage name was "Dorothy Murray". Have not found any divorce records on Charlie and Dorothy. And there were only a few traces of a "Dorothy Murray" in trade publications circa 1927 - early 1930s.
- Ancestry had the 1925 New York Census. Living in Brooklyn, New York are 52 year old Minnie Klauber (head of household; born Russia; became U.S. citizen in 1905). With her are 19 year old daughter Rose, 12 year old son Emanuel, and 17 year old daughter Dorothy.
- August 15, 1928 Variety: "Local Morris office has placed the following acts with Publix units in the east: Dorothy Murray ..." (Created by Adolph Zukor. the Publix Theatres Corporation was a chain of a couple thousand theaters across the U.S.)
- August 22, 1928 Film Daily and September, 1928 Universal Weekly publications had news of King and actress / wife Dorothy Murray on a visit back to her Brooklyn, New York home.
Charlie's third wife, Ellen Etoile Dier:
Have not found any marriage or divorce records on Charlie and Etoile.
- 1911 Canada Census - one year old Ellen Etoile Dier is living in British Columbia with her parents, R. B. Dier and Gertrude C. Dier, and their sons, William A. and Roy B.: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9P-B714
- 1916 Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District. On the list is 29 year old Gertrude Dier and her three children: William (male age 8), Branewood (male age 6), and Etole (female age 4). They lived in Ladysmith, British Columbia, and were on their way to San Diego, California:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9DH-F7J7?i=450&cc=2185163
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99D3-29FP-X?i=1125&cc=2185163
- Ancestry had 1946 and 1953 border crossing manifests for Ellen Etoile King (born British Columbia). She had been visiting in Canada, and was returning to her husband and home (Chas. King, 537 N. Arden Blvd., Los Angeles).
Charlie's son #1 - Charles Lafayette King III (1920 - 1990):
Charles III was born December 30, 1920 to Charlie and Pauline Dorothy Nelson King, and he became a movie sound technician. He began his film and TV work circa 1950 and retired as a sound mixer in 1989. In TV, he worked on "The Six Million Dollar Man", "Bionic Woman", "Wagon Train", and many other series. His film work included SOMEWHERE IN TIME (Universal, 1980) which starred Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.
Variety tradepaper and newspapers had news on his death: 69 year old Charles L. King was shot and killed by an intruder in his Hollywood apartment just before midnight on June 29, 1990. After retirement from the movie business, he was training as the apartment manager in the complex where he was killed. Survivors were his wife Suzy; son Clark, a sound mixer; brother Bill Clark, a cameraman; and brother Robert.
- California Birth Index for son Charles L. King, born December 30, 1920 in Los Angeles, and mother's maiden name was Nelson: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLBG-YKH
- October 18, 1941 marriage license of Charlie's son, 20 year old Charles L. King III (born December 30, 1920 in California) and 19 year old Betty Jo Taylor (born May 6, 1922 in Ohio) in Los Angeles. First marriage for both. His occupation is "Actor - Picture Work", and parents were Charles L. King Jr. (born Texas) and Pauline Dorothy Nelson (born Arizona). Witness to the wedding was Arthur Lubin (who may be the director of many Abbott and Costello films, the MR. ED TV show, more):
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-3847?i=1792&cc=1804002
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893H-3ZDX?i=1793&cc=1804002
- August 6, 1954 marriage license of Charlie's son, 33 year old Charles Lafayette King, III (born California) to 27 year old Patricia Helene Hall (born New York) in Los Angeles. Both had been previously married. Her maiden name was Patricia Stengel. His parents were Charles Lafayette King, Jr. (born Texas) and Dorothy P. Nelson (born California): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-ZGK1?i=205&cc=1804002
- California Death Index and Social Security Death Index (SSDI) have records for Charles Lafayette King, born December 30, 1920 in California, mother's maiden name of Nelson, and he passed away in the Los Angeles area. California Death Index has his death date as June 30, 1990 while the SSDI has June 29, 1990:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V32V-TYZ
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP98-CYJ
- Ancestry had the Social Security Applications and Claims Index. Charles Lafayette King was born December 20, 1920 in Hollywood, California to Charles L. King and Dorothy Nelson, and he passed away on June 29, 1990. Charles Lafayette King applied for his Social Security number in May, 1939.
Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on sound technician Charles 'Chuck' King (1920 - 1990) - the IMDb credits for him which go beyond his death date: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0454383
(Courtesy of Parry Hall) Above from L-to-R are Buster Crabbe, Eddie Hall, Charlie King and Al St. John in a lobby card from SHADOWS OF DEATH (PRC, 1945).
Years ago, Parry Hall provided biography info on his father, actor Eddie Hall. Parry also provided background on his parents ... and Charlie King's oldest son was mentioned:
"My dad and his first wife Pat had a Las Vegas wedding ceremony in May, 1944, but the couple later divorced. Pat later married baddie Charlie King's son, Charles 'Chuck' King, Jr., who was a film sound technician."
(See the August 6, 1954 marriage license above for Charles Lafayette King, III and Patricia Helene Hall.) |
Charlie's son #2, William Nelson King (1923 - 2005) ... who became William Nelson Clark:
William Nelson King was born June 12, 1923 to Charlie and Pauline Dorothy Nelson King, and he became a movie camera operator. After Pauline and Charlie split and divorced, William lived with Pauline and her family. In 1946, Pauline married noted movie photographer Sherman Clark. Unsure if William did a formal/legal name change to "Clark" ... or if he just began using that last name.
- California Birth Index for son William N. King, born June 12, 1923 in Los Angeles, and mother's maiden name was Nelson: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGHD-D2G
- September 1, 1950 marriage license of Charlie's son, 27 year old William Nelson King (born California) and 23 year old Louise Sutton (born Louisiana) in Los Angeles. First marriage for him and second for her. His parents were Charles L. King (born Texas) and Pauline Dorothy Nelson (born Arizona). His brother Robert L. King was the witness: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-KJWF?i=1707&cc=1804002
- Social Security Death Index for Charlie's son - William N. Clark, born June 12, 1923 in California, and he passed away October 23, 2005 in the Los Angeles area. His last residence was Studio City, Los Angeles County, California: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JGFP-H47
- Ancestry had the Social Security Applications and Claims Index. William Nelson King was born June 12, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Charles L. King and Dorothy Nelson, and he passed away on October 23, 2005. William Nelson King applied for his Social Security number in July, 1946. In January, 1956, there was a name change to William Nelson Clark.
Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on camera operator William Nelson King who became William Nelson Clark (1923 - 2005): http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0164618
Charlie's son #3, Robert Lafayette King (1928 - 1999):
Robert Lafayette King was born February 9, 1928 to Charlie and Etoile Dier. Charlie and Etoile are together in the 1930 and 1940 census ... but Robert is not there (though that could be an error by the census taker).
- California Birth Index for son Robert Lafayette King, born February 9, 1928 in Los Angeles and mother's maiden name was Dyer [sic]: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGSJ-X1S
- March 8, 1952 marriage license of 24 year old Robert La Fayette King and 20 year old Velma Jean Kecseti in Puente, Los Angeles County, California. First marriage for both. His parents were Charles King (born Texas) and Etoile Dier (born Canada). His brother Charles L. King III was the witness: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8DB-9KF
- Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for 71 year old Robert L. King, born February 9, 1928 in California, and he passed away March 16, 1999 in the Los Angeles area: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J1B9-8Z3
- Ancestry had the Social Security Applications and Claims Index. Robert Lafayette King was born February 9, 1928 in Los Angeles to Charles L. King and Etoile E. Dier, and he passed away on March 16, 1999. Last residence was Calabasas, Los Angeles County, California. Robert Lafayette King applied for his Social Security number in November, 1942.
The "other" Charles King - Charles Joseph King (1886? - 1944) |
CHASING RAINBOWS (MGM, 1930) was Charles King's second musical with Bessie Love. | |
Some biographies on our Charlie King, B western bad guy, have him mixed up with a baritone singer and stage and vaudeville actor Charles King (1886? - 1944).
Charles Joseph King was a successful Broadway star and circa 1929, he began a brief career in Hollywood musicals. His film debut was THE BROADWAY MELODY (MGM, 1929) with Bessie Love.
By the mid 1930s, King exited Tinseltown and returned to the stage. He passed away in 1944 while on a USO tour in England.
Biography of Charles Joseph King at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_King_(musical_actor)
The Internet Broadway Database has King in over twenty New York plays scattered over the years 1908 - 1942: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/charles-king-48100
Although some of the data may be incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Charles King, Hollywood musical star: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0454558/ |