Charles Ray — Blue Book of the Screen (1923) 🇺🇸

One of the earnest, thoughtful, clean-minded young men of the screen, whose pictures reflect his character — that is the Charles Ray who came into screen fame through a heavy dramatic role and later added to his reputation by turning entirely to amusing but human photoplays.

Mr. Ray was born in the small town of Jacksonville, Ill., thirty years ago, but his parents removed him to Los Angeles when he was an infant.

The only profession he ever pursued was that of acting. He began it in a miniature theater in his own back yard and, while in high school, attended dramatic school between times, or put in spare hours “carrying a spear” in local stage productions.

Mr. Ray’s first motion picture experience was with Ince [Thomas H. Ince], just after that young thespian had returned from one of his frequently disastrous barnstorming tours. He played a large number of character and juvenile leads, beginning in 1912 with “The Favorite Son.”

Bust his opportunity came. In 1915 he supported Frank Keenan in The Coward, and romped away with such a large portion of the honors that he was practically “made” so far as pictures were concerned.

He was starred soon after in a whimsical comedy, The Pinch Hitter. Comedy is a difficult line to follow successfully in films, but Mr. Ray did it with honors, portraying the type of young American who rises, through sturdy qualifications, above obstacles which impede so many youths.

Mr. Ray is happily married to Clara Grant, a non-professional. They live on a handsome estate in Beverly Hills, taking a part in the social and cultural life of the community.

Mr. Ray is six feet tall, weighs 165 pounds, has brown hair and eyes.

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The Beverly Hills home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas Ray.

Gradually breaking away from rural comedies has led Charles Ray to do some of his finest screen work. Above he portrays “The Tailor-Made Man,” one of the best films of 1922.

Collection: The Blue Book of the Screen (1923)