Biography

Herbert Brenon was born on January 13, 1880 in Dublin, Ireland, UK [now Republic of Ireland]. He was a director and writer, known for Beau Geste (1926), Ivanhoe (1913) and Sorrell and Son (1927). He was married to Helen Brenon. He died on June 21, 1958 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Occasionally acted in his films. He was injured during filming of Neptune's Daughter (1914), when a water tank exploded.

Appeared in vaudeville with his wife, Helen Brenon (born Helen Oberg).

Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890-1945." Pages 50-55. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1987.

Important Irish-born director of the silent cinema, educated at King's College, London. Started as a stagehand in New York. By 1909 he operated a small picture theatre in Pennsylvania. Two years later he was hired as a writer by Carl Laemmle, directing his first short the next year. Signed by William Fox in 1915, graduating to feature films. With Paramount from 1923, directing several spectacular productions with British themes, including a silent version of Beau Geste (1926). Regarded sound pictures with a measure of apprehension. Returned to Britain in 1934, but his career was well on the decline and he retired in 1940.

Survived by a son, Dr. Herbert Cyril Brenon.