What's After the Movie
Buster Keaton
Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and stuntman whose influence on cinema remains unparalleled. Born in Piqua, Kansas, he entered the world of performance at the tender age of three, touring with his parents in the vaudeville act The Three Keatons. The relentless slap‑stick routine, in which his father tossed him around the stage, forged Keaton’s legendary physical resilience and cultivated his trademark dead‑pan expression—later dubbed “The Great Stone Face.” By 1917 he had caught the eye of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, whose short comedies gave him a platform to refine his cinematic timing, and the partnership quickly blossomed into a prolific series of two‑reel marvels.
During the silent era of the 1920s, Keaton moved from short subjects to feature‑length masterpieces such as Sherlock Jr., The General, Steamboat Bill, Jr., and The Cameraman, films celebrated for inventive gags, daring stunts, and meticulous visual composition. His daring stunt in Steamboat Bill, Jr.—standing unscathed as a two‑ton façade collapsed around him—exemplifies his blend of engineering acumen and comedic brilliance. Despite soaring artistic achievement, his career faltered after signing with MGM in 1928, where studio control stripped him of creative freedom, leading to personal turmoil, alcoholism, and the loss of his first marriage. The 1940s and 1950s saw a resurgence through television appearances, cameo roles in classics like Sunset Boulevard and Limelight, and an Academy Honorary Award in 1959. Keaton’s legacy endures in the work of countless comedians and filmmakers; his films are preserved in the National Film Registry, his influence reverberates in modern visual comedy, and his indomitable spirit continues to inspire new generations of artists.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Buster Keaton, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Buster Keaton rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Joseph Frank Keaton
Born: Piqua, Kansas, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: October 4, 1895
Occupations: actor, comedian, filmmaker, stuntman
Years Active: 1899-1966
Children: 2
Spouses: Natalie Talmadge, Mae Scriven, Eleanor Norris
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Buster Keaton
Limelight
The Image Book
The Great Buster: A Celebration
Sunset Boulevard
Laurel & Hardy: Their Lives and Magic
And the Oscar Goes To…
Chaplin/Keaton: Duel of Legends
Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood
So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM
Buster Keaton: From Silents to Shorts
Going Hollywood: The ’30s
His Wedding Night
Oh, Doctor!
Coney Island
Out West
Moonshine
Good Night, Nurse!
The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk
The Butcher Boy
A Reckless Romeo
The Bell Boy
The Cook
The Hayseed
Back Stage
Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow
The Rough House
Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
Navigators
Tide of Empire
What! No Beer?
The Balloonatic
The King of the Champs-Élysées
The Stolen Jools
Life with Buster Keaton
Sergeant Deadhead
The Silent Partner
The Devil to Pay
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
The Navigator
Neighbors
Hard Luck
Boom in the Moon
The Gold Ghost
Estrellados
The Love Nest
4 Clowns
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Buster Keaton Rides Again
She’s Oil Mine
Palooka from Paducah
Parlor, Bedroom and Bath
The Haunted House
The Goat
The Big Parade of Comedy
The Villain Still Pursued Her
The Boat
One Week
San Diego I Love You
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
The Passionate Plumber
His Ex Marks the Spot
War Italian Style
Doughboys
We’re switching to Hollywood
Nothing But Pleasure
Battling Butler
The Play House
Sidewalks of New York
Pajama Party
Speak Easily
You’re My Everything
New Moon
The Railrodder
The Frozen North
The High Sign
Li’l Abner
Hollywood Hobbies
The E-Flat Man
Free and Easy
Love Nest on Wheels
Sherlock Jr.
College
One Run Elmer
Mooching Through Georgia
The Chemist
Mixed Magic
30 Years of Fun
Langlois-Keaton à Paris
The Saphead
Hayseed Romance
So You Won’t Squawk
Grand Slam Opera
Film
The Awakening
When Comedy Was King
The Home Owner
The Timid Young Man
Hollywood Cavalcade
Streamlined Swing
Paradise for Buster
Hollywood Handicap
The Scarecrow
The Taming of the Snood
Seeing Stars
The Round-Up
Beach Blanket Bingo
General Nuisance
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
The Lovable Cheat
The Triumph of Lester Snapwell
Our Hospitality
The Paleface
Cops
The Invader
The Cameraman
A Duel to the Death
Allez Oop
Day Dreams
Three on a Limb
Tars and Stripes
She Went to the Races
Ditto
The Blacksmith
The Iron Mule
The General
Seven Chances
Convict 13
Blue Blazes
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
Forever and a Day
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
Go West
Jail Bait
Pardon My Berth Marks
My Wife’s Relations
Life in Hollywood No. 1
In the Good Old Summertime
The Spook Speaks
Character Studies
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Buster Keaton, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2016
Chaplin/Keaton: Duel of Legends
(archive footage)
Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood
Self
1965
Sergeant Deadhead
Airman Blinken
Buster Keaton Rides Again
Self
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
Bwana
War Italian Style
Gen. von Kassler
The Railrodder
The Man
Film
The Man
Beach Blanket Bingo
Buster
1964
The Big Parade of Comedy
Buster in 'The Cameraman' (archive footage)
Pajama Party
Chief Rotten Eagle
1960
The Devil to Pay
Diablos
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Lion Tamer
When Comedy Was King
edited from 'Cops' (archive footage)
1941
She’s Oil Mine
Buster Waters, plumber
So You Won’t Squawk
Eddie
General Nuisance
Peter Hedley Lamar Jr.
1940
The Villain Still Pursued Her
William Dalton
His Ex Marks the Spot
Buster - the husband
Nothing But Pleasure
Clarence Plunkett
New Moon
Prisoner - 'LuLu'
Li’l Abner
Lonesome Polecat
The Taming of the Snood
Buster Keaton
Pardon My Berth Marks
Elmer - Newspaper Copyboy
The Spook Speaks
Buster
1939
Hollywood Hobbies
Self (uncredited)
Mooching Through Georgia
Homer Cobb
Hollywood Cavalcade
Buster Keaton
1936
The Chemist
Elmer Triple
Mixed Magic
Elmer 'Happy' Butterworth
Grand Slam Opera
Elmer Butts
The Invader
Leander Proudfoot
Three on a Limb
Elmer Brown
Blue Blazes
Elmer
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
Self
1935
Palooka from Paducah
Jim Diltz
The E-Flat Man
Elmer
One Run Elmer
Elmer
Hayseed Romance
Elmer Dolittle
The Timid Young Man
Milton
Tars and Stripes
Apprentice Seaman Elmer Doolittle
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
Self
1934
The King of the Champs-Élysées
Buster Garner / Jim le Balafré
The Gold Ghost
Wally
Allez Oop
Elmer
1931
The Stolen Jools
Policeman
Parlor, Bedroom and Bath
Reginald Irving
We’re switching to Hollywood
Self
Sidewalks of New York
Harmon
1929
Tide of Empire
Drunk Cowboy Thrown Out of Saloon (uncredited)
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
Self / Princess Raja
1925
The Iron Mule
Indian (uncredited)
Seven Chances
James 'Jimmie' Shannon
Go West
Friendless
Character Studies
Self (uncredited)
1922
The Frozen North
The Bad Man
Seeing Stars
Self
The Paleface
Little Chief Paleface
Cops
The Young Man
Day Dreams
The Young Man
The Blacksmith
Blacksmith's Assistant
My Wife’s Relations
The Husband
1921
Hard Luck
Suicidal Boy
The Haunted House
Bank Clerk
The Goat
The Goat
The Boat
The Boat Builder
The Play House
Orchestra / Minstrels / Dancers / Audience / Stagehand
The High Sign
Our Hero
1920
Neighbors
The Boy
One Week
The Groom
The Saphead
Bertie Van Alstyne
The Scarecrow
Farmhand
The Round-Up
Indian (uncredited)
Convict 13
Golfer Turned Prisoner, Guard
1918
Out West
Sheriff, Saloon Owner
Moonshine
Revenue Agent
Good Night, Nurse!
Dr. Hampton
The Bell Boy
Bellboy
The Cook
The Waiter (uncredited)
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