Here is the requested response:
Claude Gillingwater's Biography:
Born Claude Benton Gillingwater on August 2, 1879, in Louisiana, Missouri, he was the son of James E. and Lucy (Hunter) Gillingwater. He attended St. Louis High School and was an apprentice to a lawyer uncle before joining a traveling stock company. He was discovered by theater impresario David Belasco and began his career on the Broadway stage in 1899.
Gillingwater's early stage career spanned over a decade, with notable roles in melodramas, operettas, and original works. He made his silent film debut in 1918 and went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1920s, often playing gruff, disagreeable characters.
In the 1930s, Gillingwater continued to work in film, appearing in a mix of leading and supporting roles. He was a founding member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and continued to work in film until his tragic death in 1939.
Gillingwater's personal life was marked by sadness, particularly after the death of his wife Carlyn and a serious accident on the movie set of Florida Special. He committed suicide at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy in Hollywood and the fun of some of his old films.
