What's After the Movie
Slim Summerville
Slim Summerville, born George Joseph Somerville on July 10, 1892 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was an American film actor and director best known for his work in comedies. His mother died when he was five, leading the family to move first to Canada, where he lived with English grandparents in Chatham, Ontario, and later to Oklahoma, giving him a nomadic upbringing that exposed him to a variety of cultures and dialects. While in Canada he earned his first wage as a messenger for the Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, and later, while working in a poolroom in California, he met actor Edgar Kennedy who introduced him to Mack Sennett of Keystone Studios. Sennett hired the lanky, gangly youngster for $3.50 a day, and Summerville’s first screen appearance was as a “Keystone Cop” in the short Hoffmeyer’s Legacy (1912). Over a three‑decade career he appeared in hundreds of shorts and features, ranging from slap‑stick in the silent era to talkies, where his physical comedy remained a hallmark. He directed more than fifty short subjects, often starring himself, and occasionally stepped into dramatic roles such as All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Jesse James (1939). He is remembered for memorable pairings with ZaSu Pitts and for appearing alongside child star Shirley Temple in Captain January (1936) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). In his personal life, Summerville married Gertrude Martha Roell in 1927; the couple adopted a four‑week‑old baby boy, Elliott George, before divorcing in 1936. He wed nurse Eleanor Brown in 1937, who had cared for him during an illness. Summerville suffered a fatal stroke on January 5, 1946 in Laguna Beach, California, and was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery. His legacy endures with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6409 Hollywood Blvd and a 2012 induction into the New Mexico Entertainment Hall of Fame, while his former Laguna Beach home was later transformed into a well‑known restaurant.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Slim Summerville, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Slim Summerville rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: George Joseph Somerville
Born: Albuquerque, Territory of New Mexico, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: July 10, 1892
Occupations: Actor, Director
Years Active: 1912-1946
Children: 1
Spouses: Gertrude Martha Roell, Eleanor Brown
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Slim Summerville
The Front Page
All Quiet on the Western Front
Caught in the Rain
Laughing Gas
Lover’s Luck
Those Country Kids
Gentlemen of Nerve
Dough and Dynamite
Leading Lizzie Astray
A Bird’s a Bird
Gussle’s Day of Rest
Her Painted Hero
The Knockout
Mabel’s Busy Day
The Property Man
Ambrose’s First Falsehood
Fatty’s Magic Pants
Fatty’s New Role
Their Social Splash
Tillie’s Punctured Romance
That Little Band Of Gold
The Knockout
Mabel’s Busy Day
The Property Man
Fatty’s Magic Pants
Ambrose’s First Falsehood
Fatty’s New Role
Their Social Splash
Miss Polly
Strong Boy
Her First Mate
I’m from Arkansas
The Hoodlum Saint
Tobacco Road
King of Jazz
The Bad Sister
That Little Band Of Gold
Their Big Moment
Gold Rush Maisie
Love Is News
The Country Doctor
Submarine Patrol
Way Down East
Bride by Mistake
Western Union
Charlie Chan in Reno
Kentucky Moonshine
White Fang
Life Begins at Forty
Her Man
Captain January
Henry Goes Arizona
Air Mail
Happy Times and Jolly Moments
Highway West
Tom Brown of Culver
Jesse James
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Niagara Falls
The Beloved Rogue
The Last Warning
The Road Back
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Slim Summerville, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1941
Miss Polly
Slim Wilkins
Tobacco Road
Henry Peabody
Western Union
Herman, called "Cookie"
Highway West
Gramps Abbott
Niagara Falls
Sam Sawyer
1939
Charlie Chan in Reno
Sheriff Tombstone Fletcher
Henry Goes Arizona
Sheriff Parton
Jesse James
Jailer
1938
Submarine Patrol
Ellsworth 'Spuds' Fickett, cook
Kentucky Moonshine
Hank Hatfield
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Homer Busby
1930
All Quiet on the Western Front
King of Jazz
Automobile Owner ('Springtime') / Rear End of Horse / Charles
Her Man
Swede
1915
A Bird’s a Bird
Gussle’s Day of Rest
The Park Girl's Boyfriend
Her Painted Hero
A Bill Poster
Fatty’s New Role
Bartender
Their Social Splash
Harold - the Groom
That Little Band Of Gold
Waiter / Audience Member (uncredited)
Fatty’s New Role
Bartender
Their Social Splash
Harold - the Groom
That Little Band Of Gold
Waiter / Audience Member (uncredited)
1914
Caught in the Rain
Cop (uncredited)
Laughing Gas
Patient
Lover’s Luck
Villager
Those Country Kids
Cop
Gentlemen of Nerve
Spectator (uncredited)
Dough and Dynamite
Striking Baker
Leading Lizzie Astray
Dancing Cafe Patron (uncredited)
The Knockout
Spectator (uncredited)
Mabel’s Busy Day
Policeman
The Property Man
Man in Second Row Audience (uncredited)
Ambrose’s First Falsehood
Café Patron
Fatty’s Magic Pants
Cop (uncredited)
Tillie’s Punctured Romance
Keystone Kop / Guest in Restaurant (uncredited)
The Knockout
Spectator (uncredited)
Mabel’s Busy Day
Policeman
The Property Man
Man in Second Row Audience (uncredited)
Fatty’s Magic Pants
Cop (uncredited)
Ambrose’s First Falsehood
Café Patron
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