William Farnum, the son of renowned actors G.D. Farnum and Adela Le Gros, was trained in the performing arts by his parents alongside his two brothers, Dustin Farnum and Marshall Farnum. Making his stage debut at the tender age of 10 in Richmond, Virginia, in a production of "Julius Caesar" starring the illustrious Edwin Booth, Farnum's first Broadway appearance was in 1896.
Farnum's first major stage success came in the title role of "Ben Hur," which he toured for an impressive five years. However, from 1915 to 1925, he devoted himself exclusively to the rapidly growing world of motion pictures, becoming one of the highest-paid stars in Hollywood, earning a staggering $10,000 weekly from William Fox.
Tragedy struck in 1924 when Farnum was seriously injured while filming "The Man Who Fights Alone" (1924). Following this setback, he was relegated to playing minor roles until the end of the silent era.
Farnum made a triumphant return to the stage in 1925, taking on the role of Sir Ralph Morgan in "The Buccaneer." The following year, he appeared in the title role of "Julius Caesar," and two years later, he graced the Broadway stage once more as Banquo in "Macbeth."
Farnum's life came full circle on June 10, 1953, when his funeral was held at the Wilshire Methodist Church in Los Angeles. The pallbearers, comprising esteemed industry figures Cecil B. DeMille, Jesse Lasky, Frank Lloyd, Clarence Brown, Charles Coburn, and Leo Carillo, bore witness to the actor's remarkable legacy. Pat O'Brien delivered a poignant eulogy, paying tribute to Farnum's enduring impact on the world of entertainment.
