Biography

Father of Phillip Rock and Felippa Rock.

Former vaudeville comedian.

Brother of Murray Rock

First in films as a stunt double for Mary Pickford. Given star billing at Vitagraph for a series of comedies alongside Earl Montgomery in 1917. Left after four years to set up his own production company which turned out 'Standard' or 'Blue Ribbon' comedies. His brother Murray Rock acted as production manager, and Norman Taurog became chief director. By the mid-'20s Rock had several famous comedians under contract: Jimmy Aubrey, Stan Laurel, Chester Conklin, Gale Henry, Billy Franey and others. He released his product first through Lewis J. Selznick and (after Selznick went bankrupt) through Film Booking Office (FBO). Rock also had a British subsidiary at Elstree, which continued on into the '40s.

Won an Oscar for Krakatoa (1933), for Best Short Subject. Amazingly, he only collected the statue 40 years later, having been under the mistaken impression that one of his studio executives had attended the award ceremony in his absence.