Wheeler Oakman

Wheeler Oakman (born Vivian Eichelberger; February 21, 1890 – March 19, 1949) was an American film actor.[1][2]

Wheeler Oakman
Oakman in The Spoilers (1914)
Born
Vivian Eichelberger

February 21, 1890
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedMarch 19, 1949(1949-03-19) (aged 59)
Van Nuys, California, U.S.
Resting placeValhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Priscilla Dean (m.1920–div.1926)
Virginia Jennings (m.1927–div.1930?)
Frances Jones (m.1932–div.?)

Early years

Oakman was born as Vivian Eichelberger[3] in Washington, D.C., and educated in that city's schools.[1][4] He grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, after moving there from Washington.[5]

Career
Doris May, Oakman and Jackie Coogan in Peck's Bad Boy (1921)

Before acting in films, Oakman was active in stock theater in the eastern United States.[6]

Oakman appeared in over 280 films between 1912 and 1948. In silent films, he was often a leading man. Among his leading ladies were Priscilla Dean,[6] Kathlyn Williams, Colleen Moore and Annette Kellerman. His most successful movie was Mickey, a 1918 comedy-drama, in which he played the love interest of Mabel Normand.

In 1928, he had a prominent role as the crime boss in the first all talking feature movie ever made, Lights of New York. Later in the sound era, his career declined, and he often portrayed villains or even henchman, frequently appearing in crime thrillers, melodramas and in Westerns.

In 1932, he appeared alongside Buck Jones in Sundown Rider and John Wayne in Texas Cyclone.

Later years

Just prior to his death, Oakman was the assistant manager of a North Hollywood theater.[6]

Personal life and death

In 1920, Oakman married popular actress Priscilla Dean, his costar in Outside the Law (1920) and The Virgin of Stamboul (1920).[4] They were divorced in 1926. On September 22, 1927, he married Virginia Jennings in Los Angeles.[7] On December 27, 1932, he married Frances I. Jones in Las Vegas, Nevada.[8]

In 1949, at age 59, Oakman died in Van Nuys, California.[1] He was interred at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, California. His grave is unmarked.

Selected filmography

References
  1. "Wheeler Oakman". The New York Times. March 20, 1949.
  2. "Seven Reels of Speech". The New York Times. July 9, 1928.
  3. "Wheeler Oakman". B-Westerns. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  4. Katchmer, George A. (September 22, 2009). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-7864-4693-3. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  5. Spiller, L.P. (August 1915). "Wheeler Oakman, Youngest Leading Man". The Movie Magazine. 1 (6): 36. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  6. "Star of Silent Films Succumbs in Hollywood". The Joplin Globe. Associated Press. March 20, 1949. p. 9. Retrieved June 13, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "California Marriage Records: Index to Marriages". Ancestry.com.
  8. "Actor Oakman weds". New York Daily News. December 28, 1932. p. 8. Retrieved October 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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