The Washington times., 1915-04-16
John Bunny's Face Known
In Every Corner of Earth
Where Films are Seen

John Bunny is probably known to
more different kinds Of the people who
inhabit the earth than any other liv-
ing man.
Pictures Of Bunny can be seen In ev-
cry section Of the earth that a motion
picture projection machine can be shown
and that includes some of the most out
Of the way corners. In America, from
Hudson bay to Terra del Fuego; in Eu-
rope, from the northern reaches Of 81
IBERIA to Constantinople from Havre to
Africa. in Asia, Australia, and the Is
lands Of the seas-everywhere John
Bunny is known and John Bunny's face
provokeS laughter.
It is said that Bunny considered his
face his fortune. and in order to insure
his fortune he had his face insured by
Lloyd's for s150.o0o.
Bunny is a native of New York city.
father was an Englishman. native Of
Perzance, and like most Of his fore
bears, followed the sea as calling. The
Bunnys have been sailors for many gen.
erations, and there has been John
Bunny for nine generations. The pres
ent John Bunny Is the first Of his name
to adopt any other profession than that
Of a sailor. and he is also the first to
be short and fat, the others have been
tall, raw-boned men. Bunny's mother
was Irish.
He was educated in the public schools
of New York city, and his first en-
gagement on the stage came when he
was twenty years old, as end man in
an obscure minstrel company. He was
called upon to do songs and dances as
we'll as tell humorous stories. During
the course of his stage experience which
covered some thirty years he appeared
with many companies and supported
many stars, including such well-known
people as Maud Adams. Annie RUSSELL
- c,..tS a~I ntI Ia n
peared last on the stage with Annie
Russell as Bottom" in "A Midsummer
Nights Dream and is said to have
given a remarkably artistic perform
ance.
While with Sol Smith Russell, Bunny
was under the management of Fred G..
Berger, at present the manager of the
Columbia Theater in this city. and Mr.
Berger speaks highly of him person.
ally and as an actor. He was with Mr.
Berger's company several years.
He Joined the Vitagraph Company. he
likes to tell, at a salary of $40 per week
IN 1910. and in three years his weekly
stipend had mounted to more than $1,000
per week Last, fall he decided 10 re-
turn to the stage for a tour of the
country, and organized his own COM
pany for the purpose. The Bunny com
pany opened the season at the National
Theater in this city. and gave per-
formance that attracted much attention
Since leaving Washington 1t travelled
throughout the country, and the jolly
comedian was called upon to work very
hard, indecd-much harder than he had
worked for years.
Bunny was married in January. 1898.
to Miss Clara Scallen. Of New York and
has two sons, John and George. During
his career as a motion picture actor.
Bunny appeared in more than 80 pic
lures which were circulated throughout
the world. On his return to New York
the other day from his tour. he signed
a contract to appear at several of the
summer resort theaters during the sum
mer, and announced then that he would
not go back to pictures for some little
time. 1t was while making arrange
ments for his summer season that
Bunny became Ill.