Aubrey, a renowned individual, was born in Bolton, Lancashire, to a father who was a US-born gymnast, Robert Aubrey. This notable figure later became a member of the esteemed Fred Karno variety troupe, which led to his initial travels to New York in the year 1900. After spending several years in the city, he decided to make a permanent move to New York, following his emigration from London on August 29, 1908.
As a young performer, Aubrey had the opportunity to work alongside the legendary Charlie Chaplin, serving as his understudy. He later rose to leading status during the silent film era, often receiving support from notable colleagues such as Oliver Hardy. Despite experiencing a decline in his career as a leading performer, Aubrey was able to find work with the iconic duo Laurel & Hardy. He then transitioned to a successful career as a bit-part player, appearing in over 300 feature films.
