Volume III: Biographies

HERBERT, Holmes Edward *

Actor (1915-1917)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: H.E. Herbert was an actor with Thanhouser from 1915 to 1917.

Biographical Notes: Holmes Edward Herbert (also known in credits as Hebert) was born Edward Sanger on July 30, 1882 in Mansfield, Notts., England. (The Motion Picture Studio Directory, 1918, says Dublin, Ireland.) He was educated in Rugby, England. His stage career commenced at the age of nine in the autumn of 1891, when he was with a stock company at Sadler's Wells Theatre. Later, he was seen in Dick Whittington, after which he traveled with Robey's Midget Minstrels and with a circus, and was seen as Man Friday in a parody of Robinson Crusoe. His first London engagement was with Lena Ashwell at the Kingsway Theatre, after which he was seen in many London theatres and plays. His final London performance was in J.M. Barrie's play, What Every Woman Knows.

Herbert came to America in the autumn of 1912 and was seen with Billie Burke in Pinero's Mind-the-Paint Girl. Later, he was on the stage with Blanche Bates (on tour in spring 1913 in The Witness for the Defense), Grace George, Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Martha Hedman, and others. H.E. Herbert joined Thanhouser around 1915 and was credited in Thanhouser films through 1917. Later he was seen in the 1917 Astra release of La Tosca. In 1918 his home address was 19 West 46th Street, New York City. He was 6' tall, weighed 176 pounds, and had a fair complexion, light hair, and gray eyes. He enjoyed athletics for recreation. H.E. Herbert remained in films for many years and was seen in dozens of productions through the early 1950s. Herbert married and had a daughter, Joan. He died in Hollywood, California on December 26, 1956.

Notes: His surname also appeared in publicity as "Hebert." He is sometimes confused with Henry J. Hebert, also known as Henry J. Herbert, another screen actor.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1915: His Wife (10-28-1915), The Fisherwoman (10-31-1915)

1917: Her Life and His (2-18-1917), The Man Without a Country (Jewel 9-9-1917)

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