Buster Keaton

Buster Keaton

Directing

October 3, 1895 — February 1, 1966Piqua, Kansas, USA

Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname The Great Stone Face. He was recognized as the seventh-greatest director of all time by Entertainment Weekly. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Keaton the 21st-greatest male star of all time.

Known for

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard

1950

The General

The General

1926

Sherlock Jr.

Sherlock Jr.

1924

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

1959

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

1963

Limelight

Limelight

1952

Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days

1956

The Cameraman

The Cameraman

1928

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

1928

One Week

One Week

1920

Directing40

The Railrodder

The Railrodder

1965

Director

Streamlined Swing

Streamlined Swing

1938

Director

Hollywood Handicap

Hollywood Handicap

1938

Director

Life in Sometown, U.S.A.

Life in Sometown, U.S.A.

1938

Director

Love Nest on Wheels

Love Nest on Wheels

1937

Director

Mixed Magic

Mixed Magic

1936

Director

Blue Blazes

Blue Blazes

1936

Director

Grand Slam Opera

Grand Slam Opera

1936

Director

Tars and Stripes

Tars and Stripes

1935

Director

Allez Oop

Allez Oop

1934

Director

The Gold Ghost

The Gold Ghost

1934

Director

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

1928

Director

The General

The General

1926

Director

Battling Butler

Battling Butler

1926

Director

Go West

Go West

1925

Director

Seven Chances

Seven Chances

1925

Director

The Navigator

The Navigator

1924

Director

Sherlock Jr.

Sherlock Jr.

1924

Director

Our Hospitality

Our Hospitality

1923

Director

Three Ages

Three Ages

1923

Director

The Love Nest

The Love Nest

1923

Director

The Balloonatic

The Balloonatic

1923

Director

Day Dreams

Day Dreams

1922

Director

The Electric House

The Electric House

1922

Director

The Frozen North

The Frozen North

1922

Director

The Blacksmith

The Blacksmith

1922

Director

My Wife's Relations

My Wife's Relations

1922

Director

Cops

Cops

1922

Director

The Paleface

The Paleface

1922

Director

The Boat

The Boat

1921

Director

The Play House

The Play House

1921

Director

The Goat

The Goat

1921

Director

The High Sign

The High Sign

1921

Director

Hard Luck

Hard Luck

1921

Director

The Haunted House

The Haunted House

1921

Director

Neighbors

Neighbors

1920

Director

The Scarecrow

The Scarecrow

1920

Director

Convict 13

Convict 13

1920

Director

One Week

One Week

1920

Director

The Rough House

The Rough House

1917

Director

Acting208

A Brave Engineer: Buster Keaton's Last Ride

A Brave Engineer: Buster Keaton's Last Ride

2026

Self (Archival)

The folks of the valley

The folks of the valley

2025

Charlie chaplin

Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge

2025

Self (archive footage)

Stunts: A Taste for Risk

Stunts: A Taste for Risk

2023

Various Roles (archive footage)

The Real Charlie Chaplin

The Real Charlie Chaplin

2021

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty

Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty

2020

archive footage

Time Travelers: Uncovering Old LA in Keaton Comedies

Time Travelers: Uncovering Old LA in Keaton Comedies

2020

Self (archive footage)

Barney's Wall

Barney's Wall

2019

Self (archive footage)

The Image Book

The Image Book

2018

(archive footage)

Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood

Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood

2016

Self

Chaplin/Keaton: Duel of Legends

Chaplin/Keaton: Duel of Legends

2016

(archive footage)

Looking for Charlie: Or, the Day the Clown Died

Looking for Charlie: Or, the Day the Clown Died

2016

Self (archive footage)

Notfilm

Notfilm

2015

Self (archive footage)

You Have to Live Somewhere

You Have to Live Somewhere

2014

(archive footage)

Laurel & Hardy: Their Lives and Magic

Laurel & Hardy: Their Lives and Magic

2011

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Kings of Comedy: Masters of the Silent Screen

Kings of Comedy: Masters of the Silent Screen

2007

(archive footage)

The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk

The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk

2007

Self (archive footage)

Legends

Legends

2006

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Silent Clowns

Silent Clowns

2006

Self(archive footage)

Buster Keaton: From Silents to Shorts

Buster Keaton: From Silents to Shorts

2006

(archive footage)

So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM

So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM

2004

Self (archive footage)

Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy

Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy

2000

Self (archive footage)

Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults

Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults

1999

(archive footage)

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

1995

Self (archive footage)

That's Entertainment! III

That's Entertainment! III

1994

(archive footage)

Funny Business

Funny Business

1992

(archive footage)

Dance Crazy in Hollywood

Dance Crazy in Hollywood

1990

Self - Actor (archive footage)

Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow

Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow

1987

Self (archive footage)

Going Hollywood: The '30s

Going Hollywood: The '30s

1984

(archive footage)

The Hollywood Clowns

The Hollywood Clowns

1979

(archive footage)

Bob Hope's World of Comedy

Bob Hope's World of Comedy

1976

Self (archive footage)

That's Entertainment, Part II

That's Entertainment, Part II

1976

(archive footage)

It's Showtime

It's Showtime

1976

Self (archive footage)

Hooray for Hollywood

Hooray for Hollywood

1976

Self (archive footage)

The Three Stooges Follies

The Three Stooges Follies

1974

Clarence Plunkett (archive footage)

That's Entertainment!

That's Entertainment!

1974

(archive footage) (uncredited)

The Metaphysics of Buster Keaton

The Metaphysics of Buster Keaton

1970

Self (archival footage)

4 Clowns

4 Clowns

1970

(archive footage)

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

1966

Erronius

The Scribe

The Scribe

1966

Journalist

War Italian Style

War Italian Style

1965

Gen. von Kassler

Salute to Stan Laurel

Salute to Stan Laurel

1965

Self

Buster Keaton Rides Again

Buster Keaton Rides Again

1965

Self

Film

Film

1965

The Man

Sergeant Deadhead

Sergeant Deadhead

1965

Airman Blinken

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini

1965

Bwana

The Railrodder

The Railrodder

1965

The Man

Beach Blanket Bingo

Beach Blanket Bingo

1965

Buster

Pajama Party

Pajama Party

1964

Chief Rotten Eagle

The Big Parade of Comedy

The Big Parade of Comedy

1964

Buster in 'The Cameraman' (archive footage)

The Hollywood Palace

The Hollywood Palace

1964

Self

The Sound of Laughter

The Sound of Laughter

1963

Elmer Butts

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

1963

Jimmy the Crook

Burke's Law

Burke's Law

1963

Mortimer Lovely

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Greatest Show on Earth

1963

30 Years of Fun

30 Years of Fun

1963

(archive footage)

The Triumph of Lester Snapwell

The Triumph of Lester Snapwell

1963

Lester Snapwell

There's No Business Like No Business

There's No Business Like No Business

1963

Self

The Great Chase

The Great Chase

1962

Simon Pure Beer

Simon Pure Beer

1962

Self

Crazy Days

Crazy Days

1962

Various (archive footage) (uncredited)

Langlois-Keaton à Paris

Langlois-Keaton à Paris

1962

Self

The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers

The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers

1962

Self

The Home Owner

The Home Owner

1961

The Home Owner

The Devil to Pay

The Devil to Pay

1960

Diablos

Route 66

Route 66

1960

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

1960

Lion Tamer

When Comedy Was King

When Comedy Was King

1960

(archive footage) (uncredited)

Lifetime of Comedy

Lifetime of Comedy

1960

(archive footage)

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

1959

Woodrow Mulligan

The Donna Reed Show

The Donna Reed Show

1958

The Adventures of Mr. Pastry

The Adventures of Mr. Pastry

1958

Professor

No Time at All

No Time at All

1958

Harrison

Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days

1956

Train Conductor

Playhouse 90

Playhouse 90

1956

Harrison

The Rosemary Clooney Show

The Rosemary Clooney Show

1956

Self

Screen Director's Playhouse

Screen Director's Playhouse

1955

Kelsey Dutton

The Awakening

The Awakening

1954

The Man

L'Incantevole nemica

L'Incantevole nemica

1953

Baker's Apprentice in Play

Limelight

Limelight

1952

Calvero's Partner

This Is Your Life

This Is Your Life

1952

Self

Paradise for Buster

Paradise for Buster

1952

Buster

The Slappiest Days of Our Lives

The Slappiest Days of Our Lives

1951

(archive footage)

Life with Buster Keaton

Life with Buster Keaton

1951

The Misadventures of Buster Keaton

The Misadventures of Buster Keaton

1950

Buster

The Colgate Comedy Hour

The Colgate Comedy Hour

1950

Self

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard

1950

Buster Keaton

What's My Line?

What's My Line?

1950

Self

In the Good Old Summertime

In the Good Old Summertime

1949

Hickey

You're My Everything

You're My Everything

1949

Butler

The Lovable Cheat

The Lovable Cheat

1949

Goulard

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948

Self

A Duel to the Death

A Duel to the Death

1947

The First Fisherman

Boom in the Moon

Boom in the Moon

1946

God's Country

God's Country

1946

Old Tarp / Mr. Boone

She Went to the Races

She Went to the Races

1945

Bellboy (uncredited)

That Night with You

That Night with You

1945

Sam - Short Order Cook

That's the Spirit

That's the Spirit

1945

L.M.

San Diego I Love You

San Diego I Love You

1944

Bus Driver

Take It or Leave It

Take It or Leave It

1944

(archive footage) (uncredited)

Forever and a Day

Forever and a Day

1943

Wilkins

She's Oil Mine

She's Oil Mine

1941

Buster Waters, plumber

General Nuisance

General Nuisance

1941

Peter Hedley Lamar Jr.

Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1

Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1

1941

Self

So You Won't Squawk

So You Won't Squawk

1941

Eddie

His Ex Marks the Spot

His Ex Marks the Spot

1940

Buster - the husband

Li'l Abner

Li'l Abner

1940

Lonesome Polecat

The Villain Still Pursued Her

The Villain Still Pursued Her

1940

William Dalton

The Spook Speaks

The Spook Speaks

1940

Buster

The Taming of the Snood

The Taming of the Snood

1940

Buster Keaton

New Moon

New Moon

1940

Prisoner - 'LuLu'

Pardon My Berth Marks

Pardon My Berth Marks

1940

Elmer - Newspaper Copyboy

Nothing But Pleasure

Nothing But Pleasure

1940

Clarence Plunkett

Hollywood Cavalcade

Hollywood Cavalcade

1939

Buster Keaton

Mooching Through Georgia

Mooching Through Georgia

1939

Homer Cobb

Pest from the West

Pest from the West

1939

Sir

Hollywood Hobbies

Hollywood Hobbies

1939

Self (uncredited)

Love Nest on Wheels

Love Nest on Wheels

1937

Elmer

Ditto

Ditto

1937

The Forgotten Man

Jail Bait

Jail Bait

1937

Mixed Magic

Mixed Magic

1936

Elmer 'Happy' Butterworth

The Chemist

The Chemist

1936

Elmer Triple

Blue Blazes

Blue Blazes

1936

Elmer

Grand Slam Opera

Grand Slam Opera

1936

Elmer Butts

Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs

Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs

1936

Self

Three on a Limb

Three on a Limb

1936

Elmer Brown

The Invader

The Invader

1936

Leander Proudfoot

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

1935

Self

The Timid Young Man

The Timid Young Man

1935

Milton

The E-Flat Man

The E-Flat Man

1935

Elmer

Tars and Stripes

Tars and Stripes

1935

Apprentice Seaman Elmer Doolittle

Hayseed Romance

Hayseed Romance

1935

Elmer Dolittle

One Run Elmer

One Run Elmer

1935

Elmer

Palooka from Paducah

Palooka from Paducah

1935

Jim Diltz

The King of the Champs-Élysées

The King of the Champs-Élysées

1934

Buster Garner / Jim le Balafré

Allez Oop

Allez Oop

1934

Elmer

The Gold Ghost

The Gold Ghost

1934

Wally

What! No Beer?

What! No Beer?

1933

Elmer J. Butts

Hollywood on Parade No. A-6

Hollywood on Parade No. A-6

1933

Self

Plumber in love

Plumber in love

1932

Elmer E. Tuttle

Speak Easily

Speak Easily

1932

Professor Post

The Passionate Plumber

The Passionate Plumber

1932

Elmer E. Tuttle

Casanova Against His Will

Casanova Against His Will

1931

Reggie Irving

Sidewalks of New York

Sidewalks of New York

1931

Harmon

Buster se marie

Buster se marie

1931

Reggie Irving

We’re Switching to Hollywood

We’re Switching to Hollywood

1931

Self

The Stolen Jools

The Stolen Jools

1931

Policeman

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

1931

Reginald Irving

Forward, March!

Forward, March!

1930

Doughboys

Doughboys

1930

Elmer J. Stuyvesant, Jr.

Estrellados

Estrellados

1930

Canuto Cuadratin

The Voice of Hollywood

The Voice of Hollywood

1930

Free and Easy

Free and Easy

1930

Elmer

The Hollywood Revue of 1929

The Hollywood Revue of 1929

1929

Self / Princess Raja

Spite Marriage

Spite Marriage

1929

Elmer

Tide of Empire

Tide of Empire

1929

Drunk Cowboy Thrown Out of Saloon (uncredited)

The Baby Cyclone

The Baby Cyclone

1928

Stunt Double (uncredited)

The Cameraman

The Cameraman

1928

Buster

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

1928

William 'Willie' Canfield Jr.

Character Studies

Character Studies

1927

Self (uncredited)

College

College

1927

Ronald, The Boy

Life in Hollywood No. 1

Life in Hollywood No. 1

1927

Self

The General

The General

1926

Johnnie Gray

Battling Butler

Battling Butler

1926

Alfred Butler

Go West

Go West

1925

Friendless

The Iron Mule

The Iron Mule

1925

Indian (uncredited)

Seven Chances

Seven Chances

1925

James 'Jimmie' Shannon

The Navigator

The Navigator

1924

Rollo Treadway

Sherlock Jr.

Sherlock Jr.

1924

Projectionist / Sherlock, Jr.

Our Hospitality

Our Hospitality

1923

William McKay

Three Ages

Three Ages

1923

The Boy

The Love Nest

The Love Nest

1923

Buster Keaton

The Balloonatic

The Balloonatic

1923

The Young Man

Day Dreams

Day Dreams

1922

The Young Man

Seeing Stars

Seeing Stars

1922

Self

The Electric House

The Electric House

1922

Buster

The Frozen North

The Frozen North

1922

The Bad Man

The Blacksmith

The Blacksmith

1922

Blacksmith's Assistant

My Wife's Relations

My Wife's Relations

1922

The Husband

Cops

Cops

1922

The Young Man

The Paleface

The Paleface

1922

Little Chief Paleface

The Boat

The Boat

1921

The Boat Builder

The Play House

The Play House

1921

Orchestra / Minstrels / Dancers / Audience / Stagehand

The Goat

The Goat

1921

The Goat

The High Sign

The High Sign

1921

Our Hero

Hard Luck

Hard Luck

1921

Suicidal Boy

The Haunted House

The Haunted House

1921

Bank Clerk

Neighbors

Neighbors

1920

The Boy

The Scarecrow

The Scarecrow

1920

Farmhand

Convict 13

Convict 13

1920

Golfer Turned Prisoner, Guard

The Round-Up

The Round-Up

1920

Indian (uncredited)

The Saphead

The Saphead

1920

Bertie Van Alstyne

One Week

One Week

1920

The Groom

The Garage

The Garage

1920

Mechanic / Fireman

The Hayseed

The Hayseed

1919

Manager, General Store

Back Stage

Back Stage

1919

Stagehand

The Cook

The Cook

1918

The Waiter (uncredited)

Good Night, Nurse!

Good Night, Nurse!

1918

Dr. Hampton

Moonshine

Moonshine

1918

Revenue Agent

The Bell Boy

The Bell Boy

1918

Bellboy

Out West

Out West

1918

Sheriff, Saloon Owner

A Country Hero

A Country Hero

1917

Vaudeville Artist

Coney Island

Coney Island

1917

Rival / Cop with Moustache

Oh, Doctor!

Oh, Doctor!

1917

Junior Holepoke

His Wedding Night

His Wedding Night

1917

Delivery boy

The Rough House

The Rough House

1917

Gardener / Delivery Boy / Cop

A Reckless Romeo

A Reckless Romeo

1917

Blind Organ Grinder

The Butcher Boy

The Butcher Boy

1917

Buster

Writing32

In the Good Old Summertime

In the Good Old Summertime

1949

Screenplay

Quick Millions

Quick Millions

1939

Story

Mooching Through Georgia

Mooching Through Georgia

1939

Writer

Pest from the West

Pest from the West

1939

Writer

The Jones Family in Hollywood

The Jones Family in Hollywood

1939

Story

Grand Slam Opera

Grand Slam Opera

1936

Writer

Doughboys

Doughboys

1930

Story

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

1928

Screenplay

The General

The General

1926

Screenplay

Go West

Go West

1925

Writer

Three Ages

Three Ages

1923

Writer

The Love Nest

The Love Nest

1923

Writer

The Balloonatic

The Balloonatic

1923

Writer

Day Dreams

Day Dreams

1922

Writer

The Electric House

The Electric House

1922

Writer

The Frozen North

The Frozen North

1922

Writer

The Blacksmith

The Blacksmith

1922

Writer

My Wife's Relations

My Wife's Relations

1922

Writer

Cops

Cops

1922

Writer

The Paleface

The Paleface

1922

Writer

The Boat

The Boat

1921

Writer

The Play House

The Play House

1921

Writer

The Goat

The Goat

1921

Writer

The High Sign

The High Sign

1921

Writer

Hard Luck

Hard Luck

1921

Writer

The Haunted House

The Haunted House

1921

Writer

Neighbors

Neighbors

1920

Writer

The Scarecrow

The Scarecrow

1920

Writer

Convict 13

Convict 13

1920

Writer

The Saphead

The Saphead

1920

Writer

One Week

One Week

1920

Writer

The Rough House

The Rough House

1917

Writer

Production16

Plumber in love

Plumber in love

1932

Producer

Speak Easily

Speak Easily

1932

Producer

Casanova Against His Will

Casanova Against His Will

1931

Producer

Buster se marie

Buster se marie

1931

Producer

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

1931

Producer

Free and Easy

Free and Easy

1930

Producer

Spite Marriage

Spite Marriage

1929

Producer

The Cameraman

The Cameraman

1928

Producer

The General

The General

1926

Producer

Battling Butler

Battling Butler

1926

Producer

Go West

Go West

1925

Producer

Seven Chances

Seven Chances

1925

Producer

The Navigator

The Navigator

1924

Producer

Sherlock Jr.

Sherlock Jr.

1924

Producer

Our Hospitality

Our Hospitality

1923

Producer

Three Ages

Three Ages

1923

Producer

Editing8

The General

The General

1926

Editor

Seven Chances

Seven Chances

1925

Editor

The Navigator

The Navigator

1924

Editor

Sherlock Jr.

Sherlock Jr.

1924

Editor

Cops

Cops

1922

Editor

Convict 13

Convict 13

1920

Editor

One Week

One Week

1920

Editor

Moonshine

Moonshine

1918

Editor

Crew7

The Smelly Janitor

The Smelly Janitor

2008

Thanks

The Buster Keaton Story

The Buster Keaton Story

1957

Technical Advisor

In the Good Old Summertime

In the Good Old Summertime

1949

Additional Writing

Bathing Beauty

Bathing Beauty

1944

Creative Consultant

Too Hot to Handle

Too Hot to Handle

1938

Creative Consultant

The General

The General

1926

Stunts

Our Hospitality

Our Hospitality

1923

Stunts