Richard Barthelmess Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Education, Death, Net Worth, Height, Wikipedia

Richard Barthelmess, born Richard Semler Barthelmess, was an actor and producer who became one of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s silent film era.

He rose to international fame with his performance as Cheng Huan in D. W. Griffith’s Broken Blossoms before cementing his legacy through acclaimed films such as Way Down East, Tol’able David, and Only Angels Have Wings.

A founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he was also one of the first actors ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Richard Barthelmess
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Richard Semler Barthelmess
Stage Name:	Richard Barthelmess
Born:	May 9, 1895
Died:	August 17, 1963, Southampton, New York, United States
Place of Birth:	New York City, New York, United States
State Of Origin:	New York
Nationality:	American
Ethnicity:	White American
Religion:	Protestantism
Parents:	Alfred W. Barthelmess and Caroline Harris
Spouse:	Mary Hay (m. 1920–1927), Jessica Stewart Sargent (m. 1928–1963)
Relationship:	Deceased
Children:	Mary Hay Barthelmess, Stewart Barthelmess (adopted)
Occupation:	Actor, Producer
Net Worth:	$5 million

Early Life and Education

Born on May 9, 1895, Richard Semler Barthelmess would have been 131 years old in 2026. He was raised in New York City by his parents, Alfred W. Barthelmess and Caroline Harris.

After the death of his father when he was an infant, his mother, a stage actress and drama instructor, introduced him to the performing arts at an early age.

He grew up in a Protestant household and frequently spent time around theatrical productions.

Barthelmess attended Hudson River Military Academy before enrolling at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.

While studying there, he was discovered by actress Alla Nazimova, who offered him a role in War Brides. The opportunity prompted him to leave college and pursue acting full-time.

Personal Life

Richard Barthelmess married actress Mary Hay in 1920, and they welcomed a daughter, Mary Hay Barthelmess, before divorcing in 1927. The following year, he married socialite Jessica Stewart Sargent.

Through their marriage, he adopted her son, Stewart Barthelmess, and the couple remained together until his death in 1963.

After retiring from acting during World War II, Barthelmess lived a quieter life in New York, away from Hollywood, while remaining active in civic and military affairs.

Career

Richard Barthelmess began his film career in the 1910s after being discovered by Alla Nazimova.

His breakthrough arrived in 1919 when he starred opposite Lillian Gish in D. W. Griffith’s Broken Blossoms, a performance that established him as one of the leading dramatic actors of the silent era.

He followed that success with Way Down East and Tol’able David, the latter becoming one of the defining films of his career.

In 1921, Barthelmess founded Inspiration Pictures, giving him greater creative control over his projects.

At the inaugural Academy Awards, he made history by receiving two Best Actor nominations for The Patent Leather Kid and The Noose.

Unlike many silent film stars, he successfully transitioned into sound films, appearing in productions such as The Dawn Patrol, Cabin in the Cotton, and Only Angels Have Wings.

He retired from acting in 1942 to serve in the United States Navy Reserve during World War II.

Awards

• Academy Awards (1929) – Nominated for Best Actor for The Patent Leather Kid
• Academy Awards (1929) – Nominated for Best Actor for The Noose
• Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960) – Motion Picture Star

Net Worth

Richard Barthelmess’ net worth is estimated to have been around $5 million in modern value. His wealth came from his successful acting career, film production company, studio contracts, and long-term investments.

Death

Richard Barthelmess died on August 17, 1963, in Southampton, New York, after a lengthy battle with throat cancer. He was 68 years old. He was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.

Filmography

• Gloria’s Romance (1916)
• War Brides (1916)
• The Moral Code (1917)
• The Eternal Mother (1917)
• Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1917)
• Hearts of the World (1918)
• Broken Blossoms (1919)
• Scarlet Days (1919)
• Way Down East (1920)
• Tol’able David (1921)
• The Seventh Day (1922)
• The Bright Shawl (1923)
• The Enchanted Cottage (1924)
• Soul-Fire (1925)
• The Patent Leather Kid (1927)
• The Noose (1928)
• Scarlet Seas (1928)
• Weary River (1929)
• Drag (1929)
• Son of the Gods (1930)
• The Dawn Patrol (1930)
• The Last Flight (1931)
• Alias the Doctor (1932)
• Cabin in the Cotton (1932)
• Central Airport (1933)
• A Modern Hero (1934)
• Four Hours to Kill (1936)
• Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
• The Spoilers (1942)

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