Farnum, Dustin

(1874-1929)

   Born into a theatrical family in Hampton Beach, Maine, Dustin Farnum began acting with his brothers Marshall and William Farnum. His seasons on tour with Ethel Tucker Repertory company from 1897 were formative in developing his craft. Forever associated with the leading role in the dramatization of Owen Wister's novel The Virginian (1903), he also played in the original motion picture version. According to the New York Times (6 January 1904): "His form and features are heroic; his mimique, always well within the character of the cow puncher, has a most appealing natural grace. His voice is of a richness and a temperamental quality positively splendid. In his effects he was, it is true, well backed up by his authors, who have made the character sentimentally real, humorous, and emotionally very appealing. But he added as much as he was given." Farnum's other stage roles included Arizona (1901), The Squaw Man (1911), and The Littlest Rebel (1911).