15 Facts About Tom Ricketts

Thomas B Ricketts was an English-born American stage and film actor and director who was a pioneer in the film industry.

Tom Ricketts portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in the first American film adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and directed one of the first motion pictures ever made in Hollywood.

Thomas B Ricketts was born in Greenwich, London 15 January 1853, the son of Rosa Robert Ricketts.

Tom Ricketts's father was a painter and when Thomas was 17 years old he emigrated to the United States, and initially worked as a painter himself.

Tom Ricketts was a stage manager for the Shubert family, sang baritone with the Carleton Opera Company, and starred in his own play, Henri Duvar.

In 1906, after he had been with the Shuberts for four years, Tom Ricketts was persuaded by a friend to join Essanay Studios in Chicago.

Tom Ricketts played Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, the first American film adaption of the Dickens classic, then starred in The Old Curiosity Shop.

Tom Ricketts became a director, taking over comedies and melodramas from Broncho Billy Anderson, who in turn took over Westerns.

Tom Ricketts made six films for the Flying "A" before withdrawing and seeking another opportunity.

In 1911 Tom Ricketts moved to California, together with Canadian film pioneer Al Christie, with thoughts of creating a new film company.

Tom Ricketts directed one of the first Hollywood-made motion pictures, The Best Man Wins, photographed by Charles Rosher.

In 1914, on an independent contract, Tom Ricketts directed Richard Bennett in Damaged Goods back at American.

Tom Ricketts was regarded as the oldest working actor in Hollywood.

Tom Ricketts died at Hollywood Hospital 19 January 1939, aged 86, of pneumonia, contracted the previous week when he went to work at Universal Studios despite a cold.

Tom Ricketts was buried in an unmarked grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.