George Arliss

the long version

"By any reasonable expectation, George Arliss should not have succeeded as a star, either on stage or in film, yet he realized a career attained by very few in the performing arts. An actor, author, playwright, and filmmaker, George Arliss won acclaim for his work first on the stage and then as a Hollywood movie star. His films achieved the rare distinction of being both artistic and financial successes. Though he was neither young nor handsome, Arliss found popular acclaim for his many historical characterizations, such as Voltaire, Nathan Rothschild, Cardinal Richelieu, and Benjamin Disraeli."--BOOK JACKET.