Dustin Farnum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dustin Lancy Farnum (May 27, 1874 – July 3, 1929) was an American singer, dancer, and actor on the stage and in silent films. Although he played a wide variety of roles, he tended toward westerns and became one of the biggest stars of the genre.

He was born in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, the older brother of actor William Farnum, whom he closely resembled, and the lesser known silent film director Marshall Farnum (died 1917). He married Mary Cromwell in 1909 and they divorced in 1924. He then married Winifred Kingston. Winifred and he were the parents of radio actress Estelle "Dustine" Runyon (1925–1983).

After great success in a number of stage roles, Farnum landed his first film role in 1914 in the movie Soldiers of Fortune, and later in Cecil B. DeMille's The Squaw Man.

He died of kidney failure on July 3, 1929, in Manhattan, New York City, aged 55.