Edward Laemmle embarked on a film-industry career in 1915 at Universal Pictures, following an invitation from his uncle Carl Laemmle, the studio's founder and owner, to leave his college studies in electrical engineering and join him at the recently purchased 230-acre location on Lankersheim Blvd. in the San Fernando Valley. Edward's initial role was as an assistant director, primarily working under the direction of John Ford.
In 1917, Edward was tasked with leading an expedition as a producer to document the lives of natives in Siam, Java, and New Guinea. The expedition's sailing ship, however, became shipwrecked in New Guinea, where they found themselves in territory inhabited by the Kia Kia tribe, who were known to be cannibals. The expedition spent nearly two years in this remote location, capturing remarkable footage. The resulting film, Shipwrecked Among Cannibals (1920),went on to become the first to gross $1,000,000 for Universal.
Throughout his career, Edward Laemmle directed approximately 50 films. He had numerous assistants who later would become renowned directors, with William Wyler being one of the most notable examples.
