Leslie Fenton | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Photo of Fenton fromFilm Star Who's Who on the Screen (1926) | |
| Born | (1902-03-12)12 March 1902 Liverpool,Lancashire, England |
| Died | 25 March 1978(1978-03-25) (aged 76) Montecito, California, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Actor Film director |
| Years active | 1923–1951 |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Dvorak (1932–45; divorced) Marcella Zabala Howard (1952–78; his death) |
Leslie Fenton (12 March 1902 – 25 March 1978) was an English actor andfilm director. He appeared in more than 60 films between 1923 and 1945.
Fenton emigrated to America with his mother, Elizabeth Carter Fenton, and his brothers when he was six years old.[1] They sailed assteerage passengers on board theR.M.S.Celtic, which departed fromLiverpool, 11 September 1909, and arrived atNew York, where they were ferried over toEllis Island for "U.S. Immigrant Inspection" on 19 September. They were quickly admitted and continued their journey by rail to join his father, shoe manufacturer's representative Richard Fenton, inMifflin, Ohio.[1]
As a teenager, Leslie worked as anoffice clerk.[2] He moved toNew York and began a career on the stage.[2] His film career began later withFox Studios. He also directed 19 films between 1938 and 1951.
In 1945, Fenton and actorFred MacMurray established "Mutual Pictures", producing one film, "Pardon My Past". MacMurray starred in a dual role and Fenton directed.[3]
Fenton saw active service during theSecond World War. In spring 1941, he was commissioned into theRoyal Navy Volunteer Reserve.[4] In 1942, as commander of aMotor Launch vessel, he took part in theSt Nazaire Raid. He was injured in the raid and spent months convalescing inDevon, England. Unable to return to sea, he was assigned to a desk job at theWar Office.[4]
He married American actressAnn Dvorak in 1932. Dvorak (Anna May McKim) moved to Britain with Fenton while he served in the British armed forces during theSecond World War. The union was childless and ended in divorce in 1945. Fenton died 25 March 1978 inMontecito,California, aged 76. Some sources, includingIMDb, incorrectly citeFrank Fenton, the noted screenwriter and novelist, as his younger brother. Frank Fenton's parents were actually John Fenton and Eveline Edgington (married Liverpool, 1900), as evidenced by the ship's manifest for theRMSCaronia (page 0817, line 0008), aboard which Frank Fenton arrived in the US on 21 April 1906.
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