Celebrity Info
H.B. Warner was a prominent figure in both silent and sound films, known for his memorable performances in a variety of roles. Among his most iconic portrayals were that of Jesus Christ in Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings” (1927), Chang, the loyal assistant to the High Lama in “Lost Horizon” (1937), and Mr. Gower, the troubled pharmacist in the beloved classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). His performance in “Lost Horizon” earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and over the course of his long and distinguished career, H.B. Warner appeared in more than 100 films.
Born into a theatrical family as the son of the renowned British stage actor Charles Warner, H.B. Warner made his stage debut at the remarkably young age of seven in 1883. Initially, he chose a different path, opting to study medicine. However, it wasn’t long before he returned to the stage, performing in both England and the United States. He made his film debut in “The Lost Paradise” (1914), and one of his standout silent film roles came in “Zaza” (1923), where he played the part of a married man who becomes infatuated with Gloria Swanson’s character.
Interestingly, H.B. Warner was nearly 50 years old when he took on the role of the 30-something Christ in “King of Kings.” Despite the age discrepancy, the film was a tremendous success. To ensure the sanctity of the role, Warner was required to sign a special agreement committing to live an exemplary life—not only during production but for a full year following the film’s release. This meant avoiding any kind of scandal, including divorce. In a move that foreshadowed modern acting methods, director Cecil B. DeMille isolated Warner from the rest of the cast to help him fully immerse himself in the character. It’s said that the emotional weight of the role led Warner to turn to alcohol, and while no scandal ever erupted, he reportedly battled alcoholism for the remainder of his life.
With a strong background in stage acting, H.B. Warner transitioned smoothly into the sound era. He played the chief magistrate in “Liliom” (1930), appeared opposite Sylvia Sidney in “Jennie Gerhardt” (1933), and portrayed Gabelle in “A Tale of Two Cities” (1935). He also became a favored actor of Frank Capra, appearing in several of the director’s most celebrated films. In “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (1936), H.B. Warner played the bemused judge hearing Gary Cooper’s whimsical tale of tuba playing. He returned for “Lost Horizon” (1937), “You Can’t Take It With You” (1938) as Ramsey, and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), in which he chillingly portrayed the corrupt Senator Fuller. Of course, his unforgettable turn as Mr. Gower in “It’s a Wonderful Life” remains one of his most enduring performances.
In a particularly eerie and memorable appearance, H.B. Warner played himself among a group of aging silent film stars known as “the waxworks,” sitting at a card table with Anna Q. Nilsson, Buster Keaton, and Gloria Swanson in Billy Wilder’s classic “Sunset Boulevard” (1950). He later returned to work with Cecil B. DeMille in “The Ten Commandments” (1956), reuniting with the director of his most famous role. H.B. Warner made one of his final appearances in “Darby’s Rangers” (1958), starring in a cameo for director William Wellman.
In addition to his film work, H.B. Warner shared his life story in his 1939 autobiography titled Hollywood Saga, offering a glimpse into the golden age of cinema through the eyes of a man who lived it.
H.B. Warner’s most acclaimed film is The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941), which stands out as his highest-rated work. On the other hand, his film Supernatural (1933) is regarded as his lowest-rated movie.
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