Douglas Fairbanks.

Douglas Fairbanks’ father, attorney Hezekiah Charles Ullman, abandoned the family when Douglas was five, prompting his mother to change their surname to Fairbanks and hide their German Jewish ancestry. Fairbanks was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1883 and began amateur theater at age 12. He attended East High School and later Harvard University, but left without graduating. Before acting, he worked on a cattle freighter, in a hardware store, and as a Wall Street clerk.

Fairbanks made his Broadway debut in 1902 and moved to Hollywood in 1915, working reluctantly under D.W. Griffith. The next year he formed his own production company. In 1919, he co-founded United Artists with Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and Griffith. He starred in swashbuckling hits like The Mark of Zorro 1920, Robin Hood 1922, and The Thief of Bagdad 1924, performing his own stunts. He hosted the first Academy Awards in 1929 and served as the first president of AMPAS.

Fairbanks married Anna Beth Sully in 1907; they divorced in 1919. He then married Mary Pickford in 1920 after a whirlwind romance; they separated in 1933 and divorced in 1936. Their Hollywood mansion, Pickfair, became a symbol of celebrity. In 1936, he married Sylvia Ashley, with whom he lived in Santa Monica until his death. His son, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., became a noted actor.

Fairbanks’ portrayal of Zorro inspired the creation of Batman, and his athletic build influenced early Superman illustrations. He performed most of his own stunts, setting a standard for action heroes. Six of his films are preserved in the National Film Registry. In 1984, a U.S. commemorative stamp honored him. Fairbanks endures as the swashbuckling king of silent cinema and a co-founder of United Artists.