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Francis Ford

Acting

Francis Ford

Aug 12, 1881 – Sep 5, 1953278 titles 277 movies · 1 TV
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IMDb

Biography

From Wikipedia Francis Ford (born Francis Feeney, August 14, 1881 – September 5, 1953) was a prolific film actor, writer, and director. He was the mentor and elder brother of film director John Ford. He also appeared in many of John Ford's movies, including Young Mr. Lincoln and The Quiet Man. Francis Ford was born in Portland, Maine. He was the son of John A. Feeney, who was born in the village of Spiddal, County Galway, Ireland in 1854. By 1878, John had moved to Portland, Maine and opened a saloon, at 42 Center Street, that used a false front to pose as grocery store. John opened four others in following years. After service in the infantry in the Spanish-American War, Francis left home. He drifted into the film business in New York City, working for David Horsley, Al Christie, and the Star Film Company's San Antonio operation under Gaston Méliès. He adopted the name Ford from the automobile. From San Antonio Francis began his Hollywood career working for Thomas H. Ince at Ince's Bison studio, directing and appearing in westerns. Francis Ford's younger brother, John M. Feeney, was a successful fullback and defensive tackle on a Portland High state championship football team, nicknamed "Bull". In 1914 Bull followed Francis to Hollywood, changed his name to John Ford and would eventually surpass his elder brother's considerable reputation. Francis Ford's son, Philip Ford, was also a film actor/director.

Also known as

J. Francis O'Fearna · Francis Feeney · Frank Thomas Feeney

Born

Aug 12, 1881 – Sep 5, 1953

Portland, Maine, USA

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Photos

Profile images from TMDB · click to enlarge

2 images

Roles across career

Titles counted once; a person can act and direct on the same film (roles merged).

262

Acting credits

57

Directing

12

Writing

2

Other crew

Most critically rated

Highest TMDB score (min 100 votes)

Most commercially successful

Highest TMDB vote count (attention / reach proxy; not box office)

Career timeline

By release / first air year · movie & TV merged

Orbit ↑

1908 1 title(s)

1910 31 title(s)

1911 23 title(s)

1912 11 title(s)

1913 3 title(s)

1914 5 title(s)

1915 3 title(s)

1916 12 title(s)

1917 10 title(s)

1918 3 title(s)

1919 1 title(s)

1920 1 title(s)

1921 6 title(s)

1922 4 title(s)

1923 3 title(s)

1924 5 title(s)

1925 9 title(s)

1926 5 title(s)

1927 10 title(s)

1928 6 title(s)

1929 3 title(s)

1930 8 title(s)

1931 6 title(s)

1932 8 title(s)

1933 9 title(s)

1934 6 title(s)

1935 6 title(s)

1936 9 title(s)

1937 4 title(s)

1938 5 title(s)

1939 5 title(s)

1940 6 title(s)

1941 6 title(s)

1942 5 title(s)

1943 2 title(s)

1944 3 title(s)

1945 6 title(s)

1946 5 title(s)

1947 6 title(s)

1948 7 title(s)

1949 3 title(s)

1950 1 title(s)

1951 2 title(s)

1952 3 title(s)

1953 1 title(s)

2025 1 title(s)