1. Joseph “Buster” Keaton
( )
Born into a family of vaudeville performers
Began performing on stage at the age of 3

2. Magician Harry Houdini gave him the nickname “Buster” at 18 months.

3. 1917 – starts working in movies with Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle as his mentor
By 1921 – Keaton has his own production facility
Like Chaplin, Keaton is writer, actor, director with complete control over his films

4. Keaton became known for his physical comedy and stunts with a deadpan expression
He always did all of his own stunts
Keaton almost always had his signature pork pie hat.

5. The General (1926)

6. Opened to mixed to negative reviews
Too dramatic for a comedy
Others questioned making a Civil War comedy
Keaton lost creative control over his films
Signs contract with MGM in 1928
Later says that this is the worst career decisions that he ever made