Native American actor Tote Du Crow, born in the picturesque town of Watsonville, California, in the year 1858, embarked on a remarkable journey that would span decades and captivate audiences worldwide. His early career was marked by a stint as a popular circus clown, a role he would occupy from the 1870s until the mid-1910s.
As his career progressed, Du Crow began to transition into the world of film, making his debut in the starring role of Capoldo the old shoemaker in the 1915 film "The Old Shoemaker," co-starring the talented Miriam Cooper for the Reliance Film Co. This marked the beginning of a prolific career in silent movies, during which he appeared in over 40 films.
Du Crow's most notable roles included his appearances opposite the legendary Douglas Fairbanks, as Bernardo in "The Mark of Zorro" in 1920 and "Don Q, Son of Zorro" in 1925, and as the Soothsayer in "The Thief of Bagdad" in 1924. His impressive filmography also includes his role as Pedro in Noel M. Smith's 1926 film "The Blue Streak," starring the charismatic Richard Talmadge.
Throughout his career, Du Crow's versatility and range as an actor allowed him to take on a wide range of roles, from Indian Chief to Mexican bandit, in numerous westerns, dramas, and adventure films. His legacy as a pioneering Native American actor in the early days of Hollywood continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
