Joseph Frank Keaton was born in Kansas on October 4, 1895. From an early age he was noted for his exceptional acrobatic skills, which earned him the nickname “Buster,” or “the neckbreaker.”
In 1917 he moved to New York, where he met Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, and made his debut in the film The Butcher’s Shop Boy (1917). From that point on, his career in film took off: he starred in several comedies, and his impassive expression, combined with his distinctive cap, became iconic. In the wake of his success, he began to personally direct the films in which he starred. With works such as The High Sign, The General, and Sherlock Jr. Keaton not only evolved comedy from slapstick toward deeper narratives, but came to significantly influence the Surrealist movement.

After a period of transition due to the advent of sound, he found success again with television in the 1950s. He starred with Charlie Chaplin in Limelight and received an honorary Oscar in 1960. He continued working until his death on February 1, 1966, leaving an indelible legacy in film history.

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