Anders Randolf — Viking Rulers’ Descendant (1915) 🇺🇸

Anders Randolf, a Vitagraph stock member, and player of ability, an artist of merit and an all-around athlete, was born near Wiborg, Denmark, December*18, 1875, and is a direct lineal descendant of one of the Viking rulers of early Danish history. He attended the military school in Copenhagen and graduated as Maître*d’Arms. He was the champion swordsman of his native country when he was but nineteen*years of age. Later he saw military service in the Royal Hussars of Denmark.

Coming to America when he was in his early twenties, he earned his first money as fencing master in a number of fencing clubs and colleges. But the military spirit inculcated in him in Denmark was still potent, and he became a member of the 17th*United*States Infantry as first assistant instructor, with Lieutenant*Butts, in the making of gymnastics compulsory in the United*States*Army.

His term of military service ended, a number of Mr.*Randolf’s friends, who had followed his artistic career induced him to try the stage as a means of expressing his artistry, and although he did not have any special desire to become an actor, he allowed himself to be guided by their judgment and joined the Empire Stock Company, playing in Columbus, Ohio. Once fairly launched in this new profession, however, the tenacity of purpose that won him military honors, and renown as a master swordsman enabled him to overcome the difficulties of stage technique and he became successful as an actor.

In his early youth, Mr.*Randolf had an inborn talent for painting, and during his spare time was a tireless student, employing his talent to such advantage he became recognized as a portrait painter of repute. During his career as an actor, he again took up the brush and palette and turned his attention to the painting of theatrical celebrities. Among the most prominent stars who sat for Mr.*Randolf are included such well-known players as George Arliss, Theodore Roberts, Tyrone*Power [Tyrone Power Sr.], Holbrook Blinn, William Courtenay, William Farnum and many others.

His experience as a motion picture actor before joining the Vitagraph Company included a portrayal of the leading character in a prehistoric picture produced by one of the larger companies. His reputation as an artist had preceded him at the Vitagraph studio, and besides playing leading characters in pictures he was commissioned to paint the portraits of principal Vitagraph stars. The walls of the Vitagraph theater, New*York*City, are adorned with examples of his handiwork, the late John Bunny, Earle Williams, Maurice Costello, Lillian Walker, Anita Stewart, Mary Maurice, Charles Kent, Harry Morey, Dorothy Kelly, Wally Van, Sidney Drew and others are life-like reproductions of the players, in oil, that added new laurels to his fame as an artist. His most important work before the camera is represented by artistic portrayals of characters in such Vitagraph productions as The Senator’s Brother, The Wheels of Justice, From Headquarters, 413, The Blue Rose, The Way of the Transgressor, The Return of Maurice Donnelly, etc.

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Collection: Moving Picture World, October 1915

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see also John Mackenzie (1915)