Harry Benham

Biography

Hailing from Indiana, Harry Benham spent his formative years in Chicago, where his vocal talents first blossomed within the pews of a local church choir. His professional breakthrough arrived in 1904 when 'Peggy from Paris' rolled through the Windy City; though he began in the chorus, he quickly ascended to the lead. This momentum carried him through successful runs in 'The Sultan of Sulu', 'Woodland', and 'Marrying Mary'. In 1910, Benham transitioned to the burgeoning world of cinema by joining the Thanhouser company. Over a prolific five-year tenure, he juggled dozens of screen appearances with his ongoing theatrical commitments. After his stint at Thanhouser, he briefly joined Famous Players before signing with Universal Pictures. His 1916 output for Universal included 'The Doll Doctor', 'Love's Masquerade', and 'The Capital Prize'. The following year saw him collaborating with various outfits, appearing in Pathe’s 'The Last of the Carnabys', Warren Productions’ 'The Warfare of the Flesh', and American’s 'The Frame-Up'. As a freelancer, Benham navigated both major and independent studios, notably starring in Select’s 1918 production 'Cecilia of the Pink Roses'—Marion Davies' second cinematic outing. He followed this with Vitagraph’s 'The Prey' (1920) and Paramount’s 'Hush Money' (1921). Benham took his final bow on screen in 1922, choosing to trade the limelight for the clothing industry. His personal life saw the loss of his wife, actress Ethyle Cooke, in 1949. Four years later, he found companionship again, marrying a widow he met in Florida. Following a prolonged illness, Benham passed away on July 17, 1969, in Sarasota, Florida.