Buster Keaton, one of the greatest silent film actors and directors, earned the nickname “The Great Stone Face” for his deadpan expression and mastery of physical comedy. However, the jaw-dropping stunts he performed in his films truly set him apart. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Keaton didn’t rely on doubles or special effects—he performed these feats himself.
Moreover, his stunts were unlike anything seen before, not just in their complexity but in their risk. He had an uncanny ability to appear impervious to pain, throwing himself into perilous situations without flinching.
One of his most famous stunts is from the 1923 film Our Hospitality, where Keaton hangs from a moving train by holding onto a rope tied to the train’s side. The stunt was filmed in a single take, with Keaton executing it so that it looked effortless. This particular stunt was perilous, and Keaton had to time his movements perfectly to avoid serious injury.
But perhaps the most dangerous stunt in Keaton’s career was in Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) where a large facade of a house falls towards him as he stands directly under it. At the last moment, he steps back and the house front lands around him, leaving him completely unharmed. This sequence remains a perfect example of his willingness to risk life and limb for the sake of comedy. The building façade was rigged to fall in a controlled way, and Keaton trusted his instinct and timing to a degree that few other actors would even dare to contemplate.
To watch some of his stunts, see the 5-minute video above. To do so, press the top left play button on the above feature image.
Keaton was born on Oct. 4, 1895, in Piqua, Kansas. At a young age, he was introduced to the entertainment world, performing in vaudeville with his parents, who were in a traveling comedy act. His early experience in vaudeville helped him develop his impressive physical comedy skills and fearless approach to stunts.
He first appeared in films in 1917 and quickly became known for his stone-faced humor, physicality, and innovative stunt work. He rose to fame in the 1920s, directing and starring in several classic silent comedies such as The General (1926), Sherlock Jr. (1924), and the already mentioned Steamboat Bill, Jr..
However, the advent of sound films in the late 1920s brought a shift in the film industry, and Keaton’s career faced difficulties. He struggled with the transition to sound films, as well as personal issues. Despite this, he continued acting, directing, and making occasional comebacks in later years.
Keaton’s legacy was rediscovered in the 1950s and 1960s, when critics and filmmakers re-evaluated his films. He received a renewed appreciation for his groundbreaking work in silent cinema. Keaton passed away on Feb. 1, 1966, at the age of 70.
Watch one of his silent films below, One Week from 1920.