Robert Ellis (actor, born 1892)

Robert Ellis Reel^[1] (June 27, 1892 – December 29, 1974), known professionally as Robert Ellis,^[2] was an American film actor, screenwriter and film director. He appeared in more than 160 films between 1913 and 1934. He also wrote for 65 films and directed 61.

Ellis was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 27, 1892,^[3] and he attended St. Francis Xavier College in New York City.^[4]

Ellis's wives included actresses May Allison^[5] and Vera Reynolds and screenwriter Helen Logan. He and Logan wed in 1962, following Reynolds's death.^[3] His relationship with Reynolds drew public attention in 1938 as a lawsuit ended when the two decided to marry. Reynolds had sued Ellis for $180,000 for breach of promise, asserting that after their 1926 marriage in Greenwich, Connecticut, was found to be invalid, he had promised to marry her but failed to follow through. After a month's hearing, their decision to marry ended the litigation.^[2]

On Broadway, Ellis portrayed Dan Huntley in Baxter's Partner (1911).^[6] Ellis acted for Kalem and Metro film studios.^[4] He was the leading man in the film For Sale (1924),^[7] but he often portrayed villains. After acting, he became a screenwriter whose scripts were used in films of Charlie Chan, Jane Withers, and others.^[2] He also directed films, including A Fool and His Money and The Figurehead.^[4]

On December 29, 1974, Ellis died^[3] in Santa Monica, California. He and Logan are buried in adjacent graves in Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.^[3]

• Robert Ellis at IMDb
• Robert Ellis at the Internet Broadway Database
• Robert Ellis at Find a Grave