Howell Hansel

Howell Hansel (1860–1917) was an American stage actor and film director. Born in Indiana, he built his early career as a performer on the East Coast before transitioning to work behind the camera in the film industry.

Hansel's Broadway career spanned from 1901 to 1909 and included appearances in several productions. Among his stage credits were The Fourth Estate, The Fighting Hope, and A Gentleman of France. After establishing himself as a stage actor, he eventually left performing to pursue directing in the emerging film industry.

He joined Thanhauser as a film director and also directed films for Famous Players–Lasky. Over the course of his directing career, Hansel completed 26 films between 1913 and 1917. His work during this period included Ben Bolt in 1913, followed by A Dog of Flanders, The Million Dollar Mystery, Zudora, and A Woman's Loyalty in 1914. In 1915 he directed Colonel Carter of Cartersville, The Road o' Strife, and several short films. His 1916 output consisted largely of short subjects, and he completed two features in 1917, The Deemster and The Long Trail.

In the final years of his life, Hansel's productivity declined due to a prolonged illness. He died in Manhattan in 1917, survived by his wife and daughter.