Buster Keaton

Buster Keaton

Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname The Great Stone Face. He was recognized as the seventh-greatest director of all time by Entertainment Weekly. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Keaton the 21st-greatest male star of all time.

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Known For

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

1959 • as Woodrow Mulligan

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948 • as Self

What's My Line?

What's My Line?

1950 • as Self

The Colgate Comedy Hour

The Colgate Comedy Hour

1950 • as Self

Burke's Law

Burke's Law

1963 • as Mortimer Lovely

The Donna Reed Show

The Donna Reed Show

1958

Filmography

2025

Hodgepodge
Hodgepodge
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 4/30/2025

2023

Navigators
Navigators
Movie - Released: 7/19/2023
Stunts: A Taste for Risk
Stunts: A Taste for Risk
as Various Roles (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 11/30/2023

2020

Time Travelers: Uncovering Old LA in Keaton Comedies
Time Travelers: Uncovering Old LA in Keaton Comedies
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 6/16/2020

2019

Barney's Wall
Barney's Wall
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 5/4/2019

2018

The Image Book
The Image Book
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 10/11/2018
The Great Buster: A Celebration
The Great Buster: A Celebration
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 10/5/2018

2017

Busta Keaton in COPS
Busta Keaton in COPS
as The Young Man (archive footage from 'Cops')
Movie - Released: 8/15/2017

2016

Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood
Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/7/2016
Looking for Charlie: Or, the Day the Clown Died
Looking for Charlie: Or, the Day the Clown Died
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 1/1/2016
Buster Keaton The Shorts Collection 1917-1923
Buster Keaton The Shorts Collection 1917-1923
Movie - Released: 7/17/2016
Chaplin/Keaton: Duel of Legends
Chaplin/Keaton: Duel of Legends
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 2/4/2016

2015

Notfilm
Notfilm
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 10/27/2015

2014

And the Oscar Goes To...
And the Oscar Goes To...
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 2/1/2014
You Have to Live Somewhere
You Have to Live Somewhere
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 1/23/2014

2011

Laurel & Hardy: Their Lives and Magic
Laurel & Hardy: Their Lives and Magic
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 12/28/2011

2007

Movie
The Dawn of Sound: How Movies Learned to Talk
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 9/2/2007
Movie
Kings of Comedy: Masters of the Silent Screen
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 12/31/2007

2006

Edge of Outside
Edge of Outside
as Buster (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 6/11/2006
Movie
Industrial Strength Keaton
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/17/2006
Buster Keaton: From Silents to Shorts
Buster Keaton: From Silents to Shorts
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 3/7/2006
TV
Legends
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
TV - Released: 11/17/2006

2004

So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM
So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 12/7/2004

2001

Arbuckle & Keaton, Volume One
Arbuckle & Keaton, Volume One
as Various
Movie - Released: 9/5/2001
Arbuckle & Keaton, Volume Two
Arbuckle & Keaton, Volume Two
as Various
Movie - Released: 9/5/2001

1999

Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
as Self (Archival Footage)
Movie - Released: 7/20/1999

1998

Jackie Chan: My Story
Jackie Chan: My Story
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 7/17/1998

1994

That's Entertainment! III
That's Entertainment! III
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 7/1/1994

1992

Funny Business
Funny Business
as (archive footage)
TV - Released: 11/22/1992

1990

Dance Crazy in Hollywood
Dance Crazy in Hollywood
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 1/1/1990
TV
Star Life
as Self (archive footage)
TV - Released: 8/4/1990

1987

Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow
Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow
as Self (archive footage)
TV - Released: 9/30/1987

1986

Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 4/19/1986

1984

Going Hollywood: The '30s
Going Hollywood: The '30s
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 1/1/1984

1979

The Hollywood Clowns
The Hollywood Clowns
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 3/23/1979

1976

That's Entertainment, Part II
That's Entertainment, Part II
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 5/16/1976
It's Showtime
It's Showtime
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 3/31/1976
Hooray for Hollywood
Hooray for Hollywood
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 1/1/1976

1974

That's Entertainment!
That's Entertainment!
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 6/21/1974
The Three Stooges Follies
The Three Stooges Follies
as Clarence Plunkett (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 11/1/1974

1970

4 Clowns
4 Clowns
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 9/1/1970
Movie
The Metaphysics of Buster Keaton
as Self (archival footage)
Movie - Released: 11/1/1970

1966

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
as Erronius
Movie - Released: 10/16/1966
The Scribe
The Scribe
as Journalist
Movie - Released: 1/8/1966

1965

The Railrodder
The Railrodder
as The Man
Movie - Released: 6/20/1965
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
as Bwana
Movie - Released: 7/14/1965
Film
Film
as The Man
Movie - Released: 9/4/1965
Sergeant Deadhead
Sergeant Deadhead
as Airman Blinken
Movie - Released: 8/18/1965
Buster Keaton Rides Again
Buster Keaton Rides Again
as Self
Movie - Released: 10/30/1965
Beach Blanket Bingo
Beach Blanket Bingo
as Buster
Movie - Released: 4/14/1965
Movie
Salute to Stan Laurel
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/23/1965
War Italian Style
War Italian Style
as Gen. von Kassler
Movie - Released: 11/26/1965

1964

Pajama Party
Pajama Party
as Chief Rotten Eagle
Movie - Released: 11/11/1964
The Big Parade of Comedy
The Big Parade of Comedy
as Buster in 'The Cameraman' (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 9/2/1964
The Hollywood Palace
The Hollywood Palace
as Self - Sketch Actor
TV - Released: 1/4/1964

1963

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
as Jimmy the Crook
Movie - Released: 11/7/1963
The Triumph of Lester Snapwell
The Triumph of Lester Snapwell
as Lester Snapwell
Movie - Released: 1/1/1963
The Sound of Laughter
The Sound of Laughter
as Elmer Butts
Movie - Released: 12/17/1963
30 Years of Fun
30 Years of Fun
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 2/10/1963
There's No Business Like No Business
There's No Business Like No Business
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/1/1963
Burke's Law
Burke's Law
as Mortimer Lovely
TV - Released: 9/20/1963
TV
The Greatest Show on Earth
TV - Released: 9/17/1963

1962

Crazy Days
Crazy Days
as Various (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 7/12/1962
The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers
The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/6/1962
Simon Pure Beer
Simon Pure Beer
as Self
Movie - Released: 7/19/1962
Langlois-Keaton à Paris
Langlois-Keaton à Paris
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/22/1962
The Great Chase
The Great Chase
Movie - Released: 12/20/1962

1961

The Home Owner
The Home Owner
as The Home Owner
Movie - Released: 11/9/1961

1960

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
as Lion Tamer
Movie - Released: 7/21/1960
When Comedy Was King
When Comedy Was King
as edited from 'Cops' (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 3/29/1960
The Devil to Pay
The Devil to Pay
as Diablos
Movie - Released: 11/9/1960
Lifetime of Comedy
Lifetime of Comedy
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 1/1/1960
Route 66
Route 66
TV - Released: 10/7/1960

1959

The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
as Woodrow Mulligan
TV - Released: 10/2/1959

1958

No Time at All
No Time at All
as Harrison
Movie - Released: 2/13/1958
The Adventures of Mr. Pastry
The Adventures of Mr. Pastry
as Professor
Movie - Released: 6/21/1958
The Donna Reed Show
The Donna Reed Show
TV - Released: 9/24/1958

1956

Around the World in Eighty Days
Around the World in Eighty Days
as Train Conductor
Movie - Released: 10/17/1956
TV
The Rosemary Clooney Show
as Self
TV - Released: 5/22/1956
Playhouse 90
Playhouse 90
as Harrison
TV - Released: 10/4/1956

1955

The Silent Partner
The Silent Partner
as Kelsey Dutton
Movie - Released: 12/21/1955
Screen Director's Playhouse
Screen Director's Playhouse
as Kelsey Dutton
TV - Released: 10/5/1955

1954

The Awakening
The Awakening
as The Man
Movie - Released: 7/14/1954

1953

L'Incantevole nemica
L'Incantevole nemica
as L'apprenti boulanger dans la pièce de théâtre
Movie - Released: 6/14/1953

1952

Limelight
Limelight
as Calvero's Partner
Movie - Released: 10/23/1952
Paradise for Buster
Paradise for Buster
as Buster
Movie - Released: 5/31/1952
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
as Self
TV - Released: 10/1/1952

1951

Life with Buster Keaton
Life with Buster Keaton
Movie - Released: 2/10/1951
The Slappiest Days of Our Lives
The Slappiest Days of Our Lives
as (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 3/23/1951

1950

Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard
as Buster Keaton
Movie - Released: 8/10/1950
The Misadventures of Buster Keaton
The Misadventures of Buster Keaton
as Buster
Movie - Released: 12/31/1950
The Colgate Comedy Hour
The Colgate Comedy Hour
as Self
TV - Released: 9/10/1950
What's My Line?
What's My Line?
as Self
TV - Released: 2/2/1950

1949

In the Good Old Summertime
In the Good Old Summertime
as Hickey
Movie - Released: 7/29/1949
The Lovable Cheat
The Lovable Cheat
as Goulard
Movie - Released: 5/11/1949
You're My Everything
You're My Everything
as Butler
Movie - Released: 7/22/1949

1948

The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
TV - Released: 6/20/1948

1947

A Duel to the Death
A Duel to the Death
as The First Fisherman
Movie - Released: 1/1/1947

1946

God's Country
God's Country
as Old Tarp / Mr. Boone
Movie - Released: 3/15/1946
Boom in the Moon
Boom in the Moon
Movie - Released: 8/2/1946

1945

That's the Spirit
That's the Spirit
as L.M.
Movie - Released: 6/1/1945
That Night with You
That Night with You
as Sam - Short Order Cook
Movie - Released: 9/28/1945
She Went to the Races
She Went to the Races
as Bellboy (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 11/4/1945

1944

San Diego I Love You
San Diego I Love You
as Bus Driver
Movie - Released: 9/29/1944
Take It or Leave It
Take It or Leave It
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 7/17/1944

1943

Forever and a Day
Forever and a Day
as Wilkins
Movie - Released: 1/21/1943

1941

So You Won't Squawk
So You Won't Squawk
as Eddie
Movie - Released: 2/21/1941
General Nuisance
General Nuisance
as Peter Hedley Lamar Jr.
Movie - Released: 9/18/1941
She's Oil Mine
She's Oil Mine
as Buster Waters, plumber
Movie - Released: 11/20/1941
Movie
Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1
as Self
Movie - Released: 8/15/1941

1940

Li'l Abner
Li'l Abner
as Lonesome Polecat
Movie - Released: 11/9/1940
Li'l Abner
Li'l Abner
Movie - Released: 11/9/1940
Movie
Nothing But Pleasure
as Clarence Plunkett
Movie - Released: 1/19/1940
Pardon My Berth Marks
Pardon My Berth Marks
as Elmer - Newspaper Copyboy
Movie - Released: 3/22/1940
The Taming of the Snood
The Taming of the Snood
as Buster Keaton
Movie - Released: 6/28/1940
The Spook Speaks
The Spook Speaks
as Buster
Movie - Released: 9/20/1940
The Villain Still Pursued Her
The Villain Still Pursued Her
as William Dalton
Movie - Released: 10/11/1940
His Ex Marks the Spot
His Ex Marks the Spot
as Buster - the husband
Movie - Released: 12/13/1940
New Moon
New Moon
as Prisoner - 'LuLu'
Movie - Released: 6/28/1940

1939

Hollywood Cavalcade
Hollywood Cavalcade
as Buster Keaton
Movie - Released: 10/13/1939
Pest from the West
Pest from the West
as Sir
Movie - Released: 6/16/1939
Mooching Through Georgia
Mooching Through Georgia
as Homer Cobb
Movie - Released: 8/11/1939
Hollywood Hobbies
Hollywood Hobbies
as Self (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 5/3/1939

1937

Jail Bait
Jail Bait
Movie - Released: 1/8/1937
Love Nest on Wheels
Love Nest on Wheels
as Elmer
Movie - Released: 3/26/1937
Ditto
Ditto
as The Forgotten Man
Movie - Released: 2/12/1937

1936

Grand Slam Opera
Grand Slam Opera
as Elmer Butts
Movie - Released: 2/21/1936
Blue Blazes
Blue Blazes
as Elmer
Movie - Released: 8/21/1936
Mixed Magic
Mixed Magic
as Elmer 'Happy' Butterworth
Movie - Released: 11/20/1936
The Invader
The Invader
as Leander Proudfoot
Movie - Released: 1/2/1936
Three on a Limb
Three on a Limb
as Elmer Brown
Movie - Released: 1/3/1936
The Chemist
The Chemist
as Elmer Triple
Movie - Released: 10/9/1936
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
as Self
Movie - Released: 8/5/1936

1935

Palooka from Paducah
Palooka from Paducah
as Jim Diltz
Movie - Released: 1/11/1935
One Run Elmer
One Run Elmer
as Elmer
Movie - Released: 2/22/1935
Hayseed Romance
Hayseed Romance
as Elmer Dolittle
Movie - Released: 3/15/1935
Tars and Stripes
Tars and Stripes
as Apprentice Seaman Elmer Doolittle
Movie - Released: 5/3/1935
Movie
The E-Flat Man
as Elmer
Movie - Released: 8/9/1935
The Timid Young Man
The Timid Young Man
as Milton
Movie - Released: 10/25/1935
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
as Self
Movie - Released: 12/7/1935

1934

The Gold Ghost
The Gold Ghost
as Wally
Movie - Released: 3/16/1934
Allez Oop
Allez Oop
as Elmer
Movie - Released: 5/25/1934
The King of the Champs-Élysées
The King of the Champs-Élysées
as Buster Garner / Jim le Balafré
Movie - Released: 12/10/1934

1933

Hollywood on Parade No. A-6
Hollywood on Parade No. A-6
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/12/1933
What! No Beer?
What! No Beer?
as Elmer J. Butts
Movie - Released: 2/10/1933

1932

Speak Easily
Speak Easily
as Professor Post
Movie - Released: 8/13/1932
The Passionate Plumber
The Passionate Plumber
as Elmer E. Tuttle
Movie - Released: 2/6/1932

1931

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath
Parlor, Bedroom and Bath
as Reginald Irving
Movie - Released: 2/28/1931
The Stolen Jools
The Stolen Jools
as Policeman
Movie - Released: 4/4/1931
Sidewalks of New York
Sidewalks of New York
as Harmon
Movie - Released: 9/26/1931
We're switching to Hollywood
We're switching to Hollywood
as Self
Movie - Released: 6/9/1931
Casanova wider Willen
Casanova wider Willen
as Reggie Irving
Movie - Released: 10/19/1931

1930

Forward, March!
Forward, March!
Movie - Released: 12/11/1930
Estrellados
Estrellados
as Canuto Cuadratin
Movie - Released: 7/7/1930
Free and Easy
Free and Easy
as Elmer
Movie - Released: 3/22/1930
Movie
The Voice of Hollywood
Movie - Released: 4/28/1930
Doughboys
Doughboys
as Elmer J. Stuyvesant, Jr.
Movie - Released: 8/30/1930

1929

The Hollywood Revue of 1929
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
as Self / Princess Raja
Movie - Released: 11/23/1929
Spite Marriage
Spite Marriage
as Elmer
Movie - Released: 3/24/1929
Tide of Empire
Tide of Empire
as Drunk Cowboy Thrown Out of Saloon (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 3/23/1929

1928

The Baby Cyclone
The Baby Cyclone
as Stunt Double (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 9/26/1928
The Cameraman
The Cameraman
as Buster
Movie - Released: 9/10/1928
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
as William 'Willie' Canfield Jr.
Movie - Released: 5/9/1928

1927

College
College
as Ronald, The Boy
Movie - Released: 9/10/1927
Life in Hollywood No. 1
Life in Hollywood No. 1
as Self
Movie - Released: 8/25/1927
Character Studies
Character Studies
as Self (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 11/20/1927

1926

The General
The General
as Johnnie Gray
Movie - Released: 12/25/1926
Battling Butler
Battling Butler
as Alfred Butler
Movie - Released: 8/2/1926

1925

Go West
Go West
as Friendless
Movie - Released: 11/1/1925
Seven Chances
Seven Chances
as James 'Jimmie' Shannon
Movie - Released: 3/15/1925
The Iron Mule
The Iron Mule
as Indian (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 4/12/1925

1924

Sherlock Jr.
Sherlock Jr.
as Projectionist / Sherlock, Jr.
Movie - Released: 4/17/1924
The Navigator
The Navigator
as Rollo Treadway
Movie - Released: 9/28/1924

1923

Our Hospitality
Our Hospitality
as William McKay
Movie - Released: 11/19/1923
Three Ages
Three Ages
as The Boy
Movie - Released: 9/24/1923
The Balloonatic
The Balloonatic
as The Young Man
Movie - Released: 1/22/1923
The Love Nest
The Love Nest
as Buster Keaton
Movie - Released: 3/1/1923

1922

The Paleface
The Paleface
as Little Chief Paleface
Movie - Released: 1/1/1922
The Blacksmith
The Blacksmith
as Blacksmith's Assistant
Movie - Released: 7/21/1922
Cops
Cops
as The Young Man
Movie - Released: 3/11/1922
Day Dreams
Day Dreams
as The Young Man
Movie - Released: 11/27/1922
My Wife's Relations
My Wife's Relations
as The Husband
Movie - Released: 5/15/1922
The Frozen North
The Frozen North
as The Bad Man
Movie - Released: 8/28/1922
The Electric House
The Electric House
as Buster
Movie - Released: 10/1/1922
Seeing Stars
Seeing Stars
as Self
Movie - Released: 10/29/1922

1921

Hard Luck
Hard Luck
as Suicidal Boy
Movie - Released: 3/14/1921
The High Sign
The High Sign
as Our Hero
Movie - Released: 4/18/1921
The Boat
The Boat
as The Boat Builder
Movie - Released: 11/10/1921
The Haunted House
The Haunted House
as Bank Clerk
Movie - Released: 2/21/1921
The Goat
The Goat
as The Goat
Movie - Released: 5/15/1921
The Play House
The Play House
as Orchestra / Minstrels / Dancers / Audience / Stagehand
Movie - Released: 10/26/1921

1920

One Week
One Week
as The Groom
Movie - Released: 8/29/1920
Convict 13
Convict 13
as Golfer Turned Prisoner, Guard
Movie - Released: 10/27/1920
The Scarecrow
The Scarecrow
as Farmhand
Movie - Released: 11/7/1920
Neighbors
Neighbors
as The Boy
Movie - Released: 12/12/1920
The Saphead
The Saphead
as Bertie Van Alstyne
Movie - Released: 9/1/1920
The Garage
The Garage
as Mechanic / Fireman
Movie - Released: 1/11/1920
The Round-Up
The Round-Up
as Indian (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 10/10/1920

1919

Back Stage
Back Stage
as Stagehand
Movie - Released: 9/7/1919
The Hayseed
The Hayseed
as Manager, General Store
Movie - Released: 10/26/1919

1918

The Bell Boy
The Bell Boy
as Bellboy
Movie - Released: 3/18/1918
Good Night, Nurse!
Good Night, Nurse!
as Dr. Hampton
Movie - Released: 6/30/1918
Out West
Out West
as Sheriff, Saloon Owner
Movie - Released: 1/20/1918
Moonshine
Moonshine
as Revenue Agent
Movie - Released: 5/12/1918
The Cook
The Cook
as The Waiter (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 9/15/1918

1917

Coney Island
Coney Island
as Rival / Cop with Moustache
Movie - Released: 10/29/1917
His Wedding Night
His Wedding Night
as Delivery boy
Movie - Released: 8/20/1917
The Rough House
The Rough House
as Gardener / Delivery Boy / Cop
Movie - Released: 6/25/1917
The Butcher Boy
The Butcher Boy
as Buster
Movie - Released: 4/23/1917
Oh, Doctor!
Oh, Doctor!
as Junior Holepoke
Movie - Released: 9/30/1917
A Reckless Romeo
A Reckless Romeo
as Blind Organ Grinder
Movie - Released: 5/21/1917