Dublin-born Eric Mayne, a man of stature with a commanding presence, stood at an impressive six feet tall and sported a distinguished beard. His educational background was marked by attendance at Westminster and Durham in England, laying the groundwork for a lifelong passion for the stage. For nearly three decades, Mayne's talents were showcased in both London and his native Ireland, with a particular fondness for Shakespearean roles.
As he transitioned to the silent screen, Mayne's tall, imposing frame and striking beard made him an ideal candidate for heavy or comedic foil roles. Upon arriving in Hollywood, he quickly became a sought-after character player, co-starring in Oscar Apfel's adventure film The Oakdale Affair (1919) alongside Evelyn Greeley. Mayne's star continued to rise with high billing as Victor Grandet in Rudolph Valentino's The Conquering Power (1921) and a memorable turn as Dr. Saulsbourg in Harold Lloyd's knock-about comedy Dr. Jack (1922).
The John Ford-directed Cameo Kirby (1923) saw Mayne's name high up in the credits once more, as he portrayed Colonel Randall. His impressive resume continued to grow, with many more roles to follow. However, with the advent of sound pictures, Mayne's career began to decline, though he remained in demand as an extra and small-part supporting actor.
Despite this shift, Mayne continued to appear in films, taking on several more "doctor" roles, including notable performances in East Lynne (1931) and the Victor McLaglen comedy Rackety Rax (1932). Although his parts became increasingly small, Mayne remained active in the film industry until his death in Hollywood in February 1947.
