Walter Hitchcock

Walter Edwin Hitchcock (1872 – June 23, 1917) was an American actor who worked across stage and silent film during the early twentieth century. Born in either Malden, Massachusetts or New Castle, Maine, Hitchcock began performing in amateur theatricals in his youth before pursuing a professional career.

His stage work brought him to Broadway, where he appeared in productions between 1902 and 1913. His Broadway credits included The Lady from Oklahoma, The Easterner, The Price of Money, The Embassy Ball, and Camille, among other productions.

Hitchcock also established a substantial presence in silent film. His screen roles included George Shelby in Uncle Tom's Cabin (1914), Eustace Pelham in Life's Shop Window (1914), Henry Thorne in The House of Tears (1915), Dick Sterling in The Climbers (1915), Don Severo in The Celebrated Scandal (1915), The Connoisseur in Destiny: Or, The Soul of a Woman (1915), Michael Flynn in The Snowbird (1916), Charlie Grigg in The Libertine (1916), John Blaisdell in The White Raven (1917), and Herbert Carlton in Vera, the Medium (1917). He was particularly noted for his work in The Auction Block (1917), and trade publication Variety praised his performance in The Idler (1915) as "very good, indeed."

In 1916, fake currency Hitchcock had taken from the set of The House of Tears (1915) was discovered by his maid in his hotel room and reported to federal agents, who investigated the matter and, according to reports, found it cause for amusement rather than prosecution.

Hitchcock was married to actress Donna Barrell, who also performed under the name Teresa Michelene. She was present at the time of his death on June 23, 1917, when he died of heart failure at the Hotel Somerset in New York City.