Buster Keaton

Born into show business

Buster Keaton grew up in vaudeville, performing with his parents as The Three Keatons. As a small child he was part of a knockabout act, learning to fall safely and land without injury, skills he used for the rest of his career. Legend says the escape artist Harry Houdini gave him the nickname Buster after he survived a fall.

Silent comedy

In the 1920s Keaton wrote, directed and starred in silent comedies famous for elaborate physical gags. He kept a deadpan expression no matter what happened, earning the nickname The Great Stone Face. Trains, boats, cyclones and chases became stages for his athletic comedy.

The falling house

In Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928), the front wall of a house falls onto Keaton, who survives because he stands exactly where an open upper window passes over him. The heavy wall left only a few centimetres of clearance on each side, and the stunt is still cited as one of the most daring ever filmed. He relied on careful measurement and calm nerves, not luck alone.

Did you know?

Keaton did most of his own stunts and broke his neck during the filming of Sherlock Jr. (1924) without realising until years later. He also designed elaborate mechanical gags, worked closely with his crew on camera placement and used long takes so audiences could see the stunts were real. Many of his films from the 1920s are now in the public domain in the US, and film archives have restored them for new audiences.

Legacy

Keaton's career declined in the sound era, but later generations rediscovered his films. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1960. Modern stunt performers and action directors, including Jackie Chan, have named him as an influence.

Professionals, don't try this: these athletes train for years with coaches, safety systems and spotters. Start at a supervised gym or club and progress slowly.

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