Robert Emmet Milasch, born April 18, 1885, in New York City, embarked on a fascinating career that spanned over seven decades. As a youngster, he ran away to join a circus, initially working as a contortionist, and later as a clown with a circus that toured South Africa and England. Upon his return to the United States at around fifteen years old, Milasch secured a job with the Gaumont Film Company, earning a few dollars a day. He then joined the Edison Company, where he worked on various film projects, including the 1903 classic, The Great Train Robbery.
Milasch's early days in the film industry were marked by his versatility, as he not only appeared on screen but also wrote scenarios, designed sets, handled props, and even cast parts. He often found extras in local saloons, offering customers five dollars for a day's work. His extensive filmography includes the first talkie, "The Chimes of Normandie," and a semi-documentary, "The Great Diamond Mystery," which was based on a real diamond theft in Europe.
In 1913, while filming the short film, Hard Cash, Milasch narrowly escaped serious injury when his shoes and socks were scorched during a fire scene on a ship's mast. He continued to work in the film industry, appearing in over 3000 films, including three versions of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Milasch's career spanned from the early days of cinema to the early 1950s, during which he worked in uncredited roles.
After retiring from the screen, Milasch operated a gift shop in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. He was married twice and survived by his son, Wally. Robert Emmet Milasch passed away on November 14, 1954, at the Motion Picture Country Hospital in Los Angeles, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prolific actors in the history of cinema.
