Lawrence, William Effingham (1896 [1892]–1947)

Kinship: Fifth cousin three times removed of the post-World War II Smith generation.

I have noted the discrepancy in the birth date. As an actor, he seems to have made himself a little younger in various documents than he actually was.

He also went by the names W. E. Lawrence, Babe Lawrence, L. W. Lawrence, W. A. Lawrence, W. E. ‘Babe’ Lawrence. You will note the absence of Effingham. He also gave up “Babe” Lawrence after 1924, because ”Babe” Lawrence (no relation) had committed a spectacular murder and was in the headlines.

W. E. appeared in 120 films, mostly silent, the most famous of which is W. G. Griffith’s Intolerance, in which he played Henry of Navarre. He starred with Douglas Fairbanks in

W.E. career reached its highpoint in the silent era. He seemed to play mostly himself: upper crust, old family WASP.

Initially he was in starring and leading roles; but with age and the talkies he became downwardly mobile, although still kept his active career as an actor: (1935) as Customer, (1935) as Furniture salesman, (1940) as Card man, (1947) as Doorman.

He died in 1947, shortly after his last acting job.