Lucius Junius Henderson (June 8, 1861 – February 18, 1947) was an American
silent filmdirector and actor of the early silent period involved in more than 70 film productions.
Biography
Born in
Aledo, Illinois, Henderson was a classically trained
musician who later attended
Harvard College.[4] He began stage-acting in the early-1880s and later supported both Mesdames Modjeska and Janauschek in repertory.
At Harvard, c. 1885
He entered film with the
Thanhouser Company in late
1910, functioning as chiefly a director. In the autumn of 1913, Henderson led the Thanhouser company of players to
Los Angeles. But while the unit quickly returned to
New Rochelle, New York, Henderson remained behind to direct for
Majestic Film Company and the Long Beach-located
California Motion Picture Company.[citation needed] He was working for
Universal Studios by 1915 and later claimed to have been the first to recognize the potential of
Rudolph Valentino. Henderson directed 73 films before his retirement from directing at the end of 1917.
However, in 1923 he resurrected his interest in movies and rekindled his abilities as an actor, starring in a number of films in the mid-1920s.
The veteran actor/director turned to radio work after the changeover to sound. The oldest living member of the
Lamb's Club, Henderson was honored with a testimonial dinner in 1942.
He died at his home on 335 West 43rd Street in
New York City in 1947.[4]