Gordon Griffith, a child star, made his cinematic debut at the tender age of four, appearing in a series of five one-reel films directed by the illustrious Charles Chaplin. Four years later, in 1918, Griffith landed the role of a lifetime, playing the first on-screen Tarzan, a character that would become an iconic figure in the world of cinema. As Tarzan, Griffith's early scenes showcased his youthful energy and agility, as he frolicked in the nude alongside real chimpanzees, a stark contrast to the later scenes featuring Elmo Lincoln, who played the adult Tarzan, cavorting clothed with athletes wearing monkey suits.
After his initial Tarzan role, Griffith continued to work in the industry, taking on various child parts, including playing the son of Tarzan, Tom Sawyer, and a few other notable characters. As he grew older, Griffith transitioned to behind-the-scenes work, serving as an assistant director at Monogram and affiliating himself with Robert Sherwood Productions and Gregory Ratoff Productions as a director and associate producer.
Griffith's impressive career continued to unfold, with him becoming the production manager at Columbia Pictures in 1941. He also lent his expertise to several other films, including RKO's "Never Wave at a Wac" and UA's "Monsoon," serving as an associate producer on both projects. Tragically, Griffith's life was cut short, and he was survived by his sister, leaving behind a legacy as one of the earliest and most talented child stars in Hollywood history.
