Reginald Barker, a Canadian-born individual, was born in Winnipeg, but his family relocated to Scotland shortly after his birth, eventually settling in the United States, where they made California their new home.
At a young age, Barker became fascinated with the world of show business, and by the time he was 16, he was already acting in plays. He then joined a traveling stock company, serving as their stage manager, and eventually made his way to New York City, where he secured a job as a stage manager and, starting in 1910, as an actor.
As the motion picture industry began to flourish, Barker found himself drawn to it, and he joined Bison Pictures, working under the guidance of legendary producer Thomas H. Ince. He initially acted in films but soon transitioned to working as an assistant director.
Barker made his directorial debut in 1912 with the western film "On the Warpath," starring Art Acord. He continued to work under Ince's direction, and his talent and dedication earned him the opportunity to share directorial duties with Ince on the epic film "Civilization" in 1916.
Throughout his career, Barker directed nearly 100 films, collaborating with notable stars such as Sessue Hayakawa, Hoot Gibson, and Myrna Loy. He directed his final film in 1935, after which he retired from the industry.
In his post-filmmaking life, Barker and his wife opened a gift shop in Pasadena, California. Tragically, Barker's life was cut short when he passed away from a heart attack in 1945, at the age of 58, in Los Angeles.
