Actor. His first professional work began as a stage performer in a stock company and later as a Broadway head liner. In the 1930s, his work interested film executives and he went to Hollywood where he appeared in 28 films in his career. His most memorable roles were in the films “Charlie Chan in Paris” (1935), “Charlie Chan in Egypt” (1935), “Charlie Chan at the Opera” (1937) and along side with Shirley Temple in “Heidi” (1937). After a contract dispute over wages with the industry in 1939, he retired from performring. He died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)  Family links:  Parents:  John Lane Beck (1871 – 1939)  Ethel Norah Dorothy Howard Reynolds Beck (1877 – 1955)  Siblings:  Thomas Beck (1909 – 1995)  Dorothy McAdam Beck (1911 – 1973)*  Ida McAdam Beck (1912 – 1993)* *Calculated relationship