Trivia

Handsome silent film western actor whose promising career was cut short when he was fatally stricken with tuberculosis and died at age 29.

In May of 1924, he entered an L.A. hospital for operations on a duodenal ulcer and gangrenous appendix. His condition grew worse following his release from the hospital. He lost considerable weight. Died of tuberculosis in November of that year and was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 and was honorably discharged as a corporal two years later.

According to an in-depth article on J.B. Warner in "Classic Images" by Grange B. McKinney, J.B. was not the brother of famed actor H.B. Warner nor even related. This error in lineage appears in several reference books.

Born and raised in Chadron, Nebraska, his father was William H. Tobias and his mother Eltha Warner Tobias; he was raised as a toddler by his mother's parents whose last name was Warner, and legally changed his name to James. B. Warner. He considered his grandparents as his father and mother throughout his life.

According to Grange B. McKinney's article in "Classic Images," J.B. entered into a marriage while training in the army with a Maybelle McCormick Nixon, who, unbeknownst to him, was still married to a previous husband. The deceit of her bigamy was not uncovered until after his honorable discharge in 1919 and the association was ended. No annulment or divorce decree was ever obtained. The woman entered into another bigamous marriage following their split.