Edwin Middleton

Edwin Middleton (January 1, 1865 – June 17, 1929) was an American actor and film director whose career spanned both stage and screen. Born in the mid-nineteenth century, he pursued work in theater before transitioning to the film industry, appearing on Broadway between 1891 and 1906.

Middleton's stage career began with work in a stock company based in Philadelphia. His Broadway credits include Sin and Shadow, in which he performed in 1891, and Matilda, a 1906 production in which he played the role of Dr. Lamb.

Following his stage work, Middleton moved into film directing. In 1915, he directed Pool Sharks, which marked the screen debut of W.C. Fields. He also directed a series of films featuring comedian Cissy Fitzgerald, completing at least three productions with her in the lead role, as well as several short films with casts that included Bud Ross. A portion of his directing work was carried out for the Gaumont Film Company, with whom he worked at their Jacksonville, Florida operations.

Beyond his directing credits, Middleton was involved in the broader organization of the film industry, serving as an organizer of the Motion Picture Directors Association of New York.