Harold Lloyd

Harold Lloyd (April 18, 1893 –March 8, 1971) was an American actor. He has been called the cinema’s “first man in space.” His comedy wasn’t imported from Vaudeville or the British Music Hall like his contemporaries, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Harold learned to use the camera the way other comics used a bowler hat or a funny walk. In 1917 he shed the comedic clown personas prevalent in comedy for hundreds of years and pioneered romantic comedy by the ordinary guy up on the screen –- a guy with faults, and fears, “the boy next door.” With his young man in horned-rimmed glasses, he created classic films.... more

First Magazine Covers

1919

1921

1922

1923

1926

1928

1934

1936

Breakthrough Years

1917

Developed his iconic "Glass Character" persona in 1917 with Over the Fence, shifting his comedic style.

1918

Established his iconic "Glasses Character" in popular shorts, beginning his rise as a major comedian.

1920

Films like *High and Dizzy* (1920) cemented his "glasses character" as a major silent film comedian.

1921

His "glasses character" gained immense popularity with hits like Never Weaken, establishing him as a top comedian.

1922

His first feature film success, Grandma's Boy (1922), solidified his widespread appeal in full-length movies.