Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle

Summary: The 1920s scandal of American silent film comedian Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle whose career ended tragically after a questionable charge of rape, attempted rape and manslaughter during the infamous "Fatty Arbuckle Scanda" brought him from the heights of stardom to the tragic depths of alcoholism.

Personal Information:

Born - March 24, 1887

Birthplace - Smith Center, KS

Died - June 29, 1933

Location of Death - New York City

Cause of Death - Heart Failure

General Information:

Gender - Male

Religion - Unknown

Ethnicity - White

Criminal Charges: Rape, Attempted Rape, Manslaughter

A Weekend of Rest Turns Into A Nightmare: Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle was a popular comedic American film star of the silent screens era. His fame grew and his talent was in such demand that in 1921 he was under contract to Paramount Studios for $1 million a year, a generous amount for that time. But it all came to an end after being arrested for the murder of an actress named Virginia Rappe, during a Labor Day weekend hotel room party held in San Francisco on September 5, 1921.

Charged With Rape and Murder: During the party Rappe began complaining of abdominal pains and was examined by a hotel doctor who decided she was just drunk. Rappe died three days later from peritonitis and Matthew Brady, a San Francisco district attorney investigating her death, charged Arbuckle with rape, attempted rape and murder. Her autopsy, however, reported no evidence of violence or assault that would have contributed to her death.

Arbuckle testified that he found Rappe in the bathroom, vomiting and screaming in pain and that he spent no more then 10 minutes alone with her while helping her to a bed.

The case, later described as a travesty, was tried three times, two ending in hung juries, before Arbuckle received an innocent verdict. But the damage had been done to his career. Many refused to believe in his innocence and movie industry executives blacklisted him and warned his friends to stay clear.

The Kindest Soul : Buster Keaton refused to adhere to the public pressure to turn away from Arbuckle and testified in court that he was the kindest soul he had known.

'Acquittal Is Not Enough:' When the jury read their verdict, the following was read to the court:
'Acquittal is not enough for Roscoe Arbuckle. We feel that a great injustice has been done him. We feel also that it was only our plain duty to give him this exoneration, under the evidence, for there was not the slightest proof adduced to connect him in any way with the commission of a crime. He was manly throughout the case, and told a straightforward story on the witness stand, which we all believed.

The happening at the hotel was an unfortunate affair for which Arbuckle, so the evidence shows, was in no way responsible.

We wish him success and hope that the American people will take the judgement of fourteen men and women who have sat listening for thirty-one days to the evidence, that Roscoe Arbuckle is entirely innocent and free of all blame.'

After the trials Arbuckle attempted to regain his moviemaking career but the public wanted no part of him. For solace he began to drink which developed into alcoholism. He eventually received work with Warner Brothers to star in six short comedies which he completed on June 28, 1933. Warner Brothers then signed him on to do one feature length film, but Arbuckle died on June 29, 1933, after spending the evening celebrating the contract.

The majoritiy of historians who have studied the Arbuckle scandal at length agree that he was innocent of all charges.

His long time friend, and main supporter, Buster Keaton, later said that the 46-year-old Arbuckle died from a broken heart.

Arbuckle was cremated and his third wife, Addie McPhail, scattered his ashes in the Pacific Ocean.

^{Source:
The Day the Laughter Stopped by David Yallop
Arbucklemania: The Official Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle Web Site}