Henry Joseph Crocker II (July 2, 1893 – May 23, 1958) was an American journalist, film actor, and member of the wealthy Crocker family.
Life and career Although Crocker was for most of his career a Los Angeles Examiner newsman, he also appeared as Rex in Charlie Chaplin's The Circus in 1928. He was Chaplin's personal assistant until he was fired during the making of Chaplin's City Lights in 1930. Crocker later reconciled with Chaplin and maintained a friendship until the comedian left America in 1952.
Overall, Crocker appeared in 20 films between 1925 and 1952, mostly in small roles or cameo appearances. His other films besides The Circus include The Big Parade (1925), Tillie the Toiler (1927), Sally in Our Alley (1927), A Warm Corner (1930), The Great John L. (1945), A Song for Miss Julie (1945) and Limelight (1952).
His grand uncle was Charles Crocker (1822–1888) who had been a builder of the Central Pacific Railroad and his distant cousins were the philanthropist William Henry Crocker, president of Crocker National Bank, mystic, princess and writer Aimée Crocker and Templeton Crocker past president of the California Historical Society who funded and headed expeditions with the California Academy of Sciences and other academic institutions aboard his personal yacht. Crocker married Elizabeth Jenns in late 1936. Crocker was also a close friend of Cole Porter. He died on May 23, 1958, after being in ill health for three years.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1925 The Gold Rush Uncredited unit publicist 1925 The Big Parade Soldier Uncredited 1926 La Bohème Bit part Uncredited 1927 Tillie the Toiler Pennington Fish1927 Sally in Our Alley Chester Drake1927 Becky John Carroll Estabrook1927 South Sea Love Bob Bernard 1928 The Circus Rex, A Tight Rope Walker Also played a disgruntled property man and a clown. He was also an assistant director and uncredited unit publicist 1928 Show People Himself Cameo appearance 1930 A Warm Corner Joseph 1931 City Lights He was Charlie Chaplin's assistant director during the making of this film but was fired, Also an uncredited writer and unit publicist 1933 The Good Companions Unklearther 1936 Jack of All Trades Uncredited appearance 1941 H. M. Pulham, Esq. Bob Ridge 1942 Gentleman Jim Charles Crocker 1943 A Night for Crime Arthur Brisbane 1945 A Song for Miss Julie John Firbank 1945 The Great John L. Arthur Brisbane 1946 Night and Day John Firbank 1947 Monsieur Verdoux Uncredited unit publicist 1949 Dancing in the Dark Master of Ceremonies 1950 The Great Jewel Robber Commentator 1952 Limelight Publicist Director
References
External links
Harry Crocker at Virtual History Still from The Circus (1928) at gettyimages.com