Tom Tyler — Biographical Sketch (1927) 🇺🇸
Tom Tyler, leading Western star at the F. B. O. studios, had more than his share of hardships before winning success as a motion picture actor. He wanted to become a star in the worst way, so he spent his savings for a correspondence school course in motion picture acting. When the course was completed his roll was depleted and he was nowhere, so he took a job driving a truck and busied himself at other odd tasks.
Born in New York State, Tom started for Hollywood, and was three years arriving there, as he had to work his way out. In Hollywood he got a little work as an extra, but not enough to keep him going, so he shipped on a lumber schooner for Seattle. Returning later to Hollywood he got a job from Cecil B. DeMille in the property department. He didn’t like that, so he quit and did extra work for two years.
Young Tyler became the champion weight lifter when he was invited to join the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and his wonderful physique attracted attention. He got a job with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and was given work in Ben-Hur. Then followed a role in Elinor Glyn’s “The Only Thing.” He was immediately placed under contract at a fair salary.
After several pictures Tom heard that a new Western star was wanted at the F. B. O. studios. The drawback was that he didn’t know how to ride a horse, so he went to a ranch in Arizona and became an expert horseman. When he returned he was given a screen test by F. B. O., and soon after was signed to a five-year contract to play Westerns. For two years he worked there making sixteen Western pictures, which always took rank with those of Fred Thomson. Recently Thomson finished his work at F. B. O., and Tyler became the premier Western star at this studio.
His first picture under his “ace” contract was “The Flying U Ranch,” and it was a successful one. Many others are now being mapped out for him. Among others that have added to the fame of the young star were: “Sonora Kid,” “Splitting the Breeze,” “Cyclone of the Range,” and “The Gambler’s Game.” He also scored heavily in the “Fighting Blood” series.
—
Tom Tyler
1927 — 1928 Releases
- The Flying U Ranch
- The Gambler’s Game
- The Desert Pirate
- When The Law Rides
- Phantom of the Range
- The Texas Tornado
Released Through F. B. O.
Collection: Motion Picture News, October 1927 (Booking Guide and Studio Directory)