Biography

Bearded, stoop-shouldered German-Jewish silent screen comedian, in America from adolescence. Acted in repertory and first appeared in films in dramatic roles under director D.W. Griffith, whom he had befriended while both were members of a Kentucky-based acting troupe. Davidson joined Mutual in 1915 and, during the following eight years, had stints as a comic actor in two-reelers with Vitagraph, Fox, Columbia, Tiffany and Al Christie. He signed with Hal Roach in 1926 and was given his own starring series, often under the direction of Leo McCarey. Davidson's comic personae were invariably stereotypical Jewish caricatures, such as pawnbrokers, shopkeepers and second hand merchants. Compounded by complaints from Jewish audiences, he eventually fell afoul of the Hays Code and his career went into rapid decline at the end of the decade. He still turned up in cameos and bit parts until 1945, dying five years later, almost forgotten, in a retirement home.

Entered films in 1912.

Several Jewish film producers reportedly objected to what they regarded as his stereotypical portrayal of an unassimilated Jew in silent comedies.