Roscoe Arbuckle
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- March 22, 1887
- Died
- June 29, 1933
- Birthplace
- Smith Center, Kansas, USA
Roscoe Arbuckle (March 24, 1887 - June 29, 1933), widely known to audiences as “Fatty” Arbuckle, was an American silent film actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. He started at the Selig Polyscope Company and eventually moved to Keystone Studios, where he worked with Mabel Normand and Harold Lloyd as well as with his nephew, Al St. John. He also mentored Charlie Chaplin, Monty Banks and Bob Hope, and brought vaudeville star Buster Keaton into the movie business. Arbuckle was one of the most popular silent stars of the 1910s and one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood at the time. In one of the earliest Hollywood scandals, Arbuckle was the defendant in three widely publicized trials between November 1921 and April 1922 for the rape and manslaughter of actress Virginia Rappe. Rappe had fallen ill at a party hosted by Arbuckle at San Francisco's St. Francis Hotel in September 1921, and died four days later. A friend of Rappe accused Arbuckle of raping and accidentally killing her. The first two trials resulted in hung juries, but the third acquitted Arbuckle. The third jury took the unusual step of giving Arbuckle a written statement of apology for his treatment by the justice system. Despite Arbuckle's acquittal, the scandal largely halted his career and has mostly overshadowed his legacy as a pioneering comedian.
Filmography
A Brave Engineer: Buster Keaton's Last Ride 2026
as Self (Archival)
Wonder Dogs! Canine Stars of the Silent Era (1898-1928) 2025
Actor
Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty 2020
as archive footage
Looking for Mabel Normand 2015
as Self (archive footage)
- The Parrott Chase
The Parrott Chase 2009
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema 2007
as Self (archive footage)
Buster Keaton: From Silents to Shorts 2006
as (archive footage)
So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM 2004
as Self (archive footage)
Chaplin Today: The Gold Rush 2003
as Self (archive footage)
Murders of Hollywood 2003
as Self (archive footage)
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies 1995
as Self (archive footage)
The Casting Couch 1995
Actor
The Chaplin Puzzle 1992
as (archive footage)
Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies 1988
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Muppets Go to the Movies 1981
as Keystone Kop (archive footage) (uncredited)
Crazy Days 1962
as Various (archive footage) (uncredited)
Days of Thrills and Laughter 1961
as Self (archive footage)
When Comedy Was King 1960
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Los ojos del siglo (Volumen I) 1957
as Él mismo (material de archivo)
- ¡Qué tiempos aquellos!
¡Qué tiempos aquellos! 1951
Actor
Happy Times and Jolly Moments 1943
as (archive footage)
Tomalio 1933
as Wilbur
In the Dough 1933
as Slim
Close Relations 1933
as Wilbur Wart
How've You Bean? 1933
Actor
Buzzin' Around 1933
as Cornelius
It's a Cinch 1932
Director
Hey, Pop! 1932
as Fatty
Niagara Falls 1932
Director
- Gigolettes
Gigolettes 1932
Director
Hollywood Lights 1932
Director
- Mother's Holiday
Mother's Holiday 1932
Director
- Hollywood Luck
Hollywood Luck 1932
Director
Bridge Wives 1932
Director
- Anybody's Goat
Anybody's Goat 1932
Director
- Keep Laughing
Keep Laughing 1932
Director
- Moonlight and Cactus
Moonlight and Cactus 1932
Director
Stars of Yesterday 1931
as Self
- Smart Work
Smart Work 1931
Director
- Idle Roomers
Idle Roomers 1931
Director
- The Tamale Vendor
The Tamale Vendor 1931
Director
- Once a Hero
Once a Hero 1931
Director
Queenie of Hollywood 1931
Director
- One Quiet Night
One Quiet Night 1931
Director
- That's My Meat
That's My Meat 1931
Director
- Take 'em and Shake 'em
Take 'em and Shake 'em 1931
Director
- Beach Pajamas
Beach Pajamas 1931
Writer, Director
- Up Pops the Duke
Up Pops the Duke 1931
Director
- Honeymoon Trio
Honeymoon Trio 1931
Director
That's My Line 1931
Writer, Director
The Lure of Hollywood 1931
Director
- The Back Page
The Back Page 1931
Director
Windy Riley Goes Hollywood 1931
Director
- Crashing Hollywood
Crashing Hollywood 1931
Director
Ex-Plumber 1931
Director, Writer
- Pete and Repeat
Pete and Repeat 1931
Director
- Marriage Rows
Marriage Rows 1931
Director, Story
Three Hollywood Girls 1931
Director
- Up a Tree
Up a Tree 1930
Director, Story
- Won by a Neck
Won by a Neck 1930
Director
- Si Si Senor
Si Si Senor 1930
Director
The Cuckoos 1930
Writer
Character Studies 1927
as Self (uncredited), Director
Special Delivery 1927
Director
- Listen Lena
Listen Lena 1927
as Fat man with strategically covered face (unconfirmed)
- Peaceful Oscar
Peaceful Oscar 1927
Director
The Red Mill 1927
Director
- One Sunday Morning
One Sunday Morning 1926
Writer, Director
His Private Life 1926
Writer, Director
Fool's Luck 1926
Director, Writer
Home Cured 1926
Director
My Stars 1926
as Mailman (uncredited), Writer, Director
The Fighting Dude 1925
Director, Writer
Cleaning Up 1925
Director
Go West 1925
as Woman in Department Store (uncredited)
The Movies 1925
Director, Writer
The Tourist 1925
Director
Curses 1925
Director, Writer
The Iron Mule 1925
Director
Dynamite Doggie 1925
Writer, Director
Lovemania 1924
Director
Stupid, but Brave 1924
Director
His First Car 1924
Director, Writer
Leap Year 1924
as Stanley Piper
- No Loafing
No Loafing 1923
Director
Hollywood 1923
as Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle
Day Dreams 1922
Story
The Fast Freight 1922
as Ras Berry
- Special Delivery
Special Delivery 1922
Director
Crazy to Marry 1921
as Dr. Hobart Hupp
Gasoline Gus 1921
as Gasoline Gus
Traveling Salesman 1921
as Bob Blake
The Dollar-a-Year Man 1921
as Franklin Pinney
Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20) 1921
as Himself
Brewster's Millions 1921
as Monte Brewster
The Life of the Party 1920
as Algernon Leary (as Roscoe Arbuckle)
The Round-Up 1920
as Slim Hoover
The Garage 1920
as Mechanic / Fireman, Director
The Hayseed 1919
as Mailman, Director
Back Stage 1919
as Stagehand, Director
A Desert Hero 1919
as The Sheriff, the Desert Hero, Director, Writer
- The Bank Clerk
The Bank Clerk 1919
Actor, Director, Writer
Love 1919
as Fatty, Director
- The Pullman Porter
The Pullman Porter 1919
Actor, Director, Writer
Camping Out 1919
Actor, Writer, Director
The Sheriff 1918
as Cook, Writer, Director
- A Scrap of Paper
A Scrap of Paper 1918
as Fatty, Director
The Cook 1918
as The Chef, Story, Director
Good Night, Nurse! 1918
as Fatty, Director, Story
Moonshine 1918
as Revenue Agent, Story, Screenplay, Director
The Bell Boy 1918
as Bellboy, barber, Story, Screenplay, Director
Out West 1918
as Train Rider, Bartender, Director, Writer
A Country Hero 1917
as Village Blacksmith, Director, Story
Coney Island 1917
as Fatty, Director, Story
Oh, Doctor! 1917
as Dr. Fatty Holepoke, Director
The Late Lamented 1917
as Cameo Appearance (unconfirmed)
His Wedding Night 1917
as Gas station employee, Story, Director
The Rough House 1917
as Mr. Rough, Story, Director
A Reckless Romeo 1917
as The Husband, Director, Story
The Butcher Boy 1917
as Fatty / Saccharine, Director, Story
A Creampuff Romance 1916
as Fatty, Director
The Waiters' Ball 1916
as The Cook, Director
- The Moonshiners
The Moonshiners 1916
Director
The Other Man 1916
as Fatty the Tramp (dual role)
His Wife's Mistake 1916
as The Janitor, Director
Bright Lights 1916
as Fatty, Director
He Did and He Didn’t 1916
as The Doctor, Director
Fatty and Mabel Adrift 1916
as Fatty, Director, Writer
Fatty and the Broadway Stars 1915
as Fatty - Studio Janitor, Director
A Village Scandal 1915
as Eddie - the Country Boy, Director
Fickle Fatty's Fall 1915
as Fatty, Director
Fatty's Tintype Tangle 1915
as Fatty, Director
Fatty’s Plucky Pup 1915
as Fatty, Director
The Little Teacher 1915
as Fat Unruly Student
Miss Fatty's Seaside Lovers 1915
as Finnegan's Daughter, Director
Mabel’s Wilful Way 1915
as Fatty, Director
Mabel and Fatty Viewing the World's Fair at San Francisco 1915
as Himself, Director
Wished on Mabel 1915
as Fatty, Director
When Love Took Wings 1915
as Reckless Fatty, Director
Fatty’s Faithful Fido 1915
as Fatty, Director
That Little Band Of Gold 1915
as Fatty - the Husband, Director
Fatty’s Chance Acquaintance 1915
as Fatty, Director
Fatty’s Reckless Fling 1915
as Fatty, Director
A Glimpse of the San Diego Exposition 1915
as Himself
Hogan's Romance Upset 1915
as Fight Spectator
Mabel and Fatty’s Married Life 1915
as Fatty, Director
Fatty's New Role 1915
as Fatty, Director
Fatty and Mabel at the San Diego Exposition 1915
as Fatty, Director
Mabel, Fatty and the Law 1915
as Fatty, Director
Fatty and Mabel’s Simple Life 1915
as Roscoe, Director
Mabel and Fatty's Wash Day 1915
as Fatty, Director
Fatty and Minnie He-Haw 1914
as Fatty, Director
Fatty's Magic Pants 1914
as Fatty, Director
- Shotguns That Kick
Shotguns That Kick 1914
as Fatty, Director
Leading Lizzie Astray 1914
as Fatty, Director
- The Sea Nymphs
The Sea Nymphs 1914
as Fatty
- Fatty's Wine Party
Fatty's Wine Party 1914
as Fatty, Director
- Fatty's Jonah Day
Fatty's Jonah Day 1914
as Fatty, Director
- An Incompetent Hero
An Incompetent Hero 1914
as Fatty, Director
- Lovers' Post Office
Lovers' Post Office 1914
as Fatty, Director
Zip, the Dodger 1914
as Zip, Director
- Their Ups and Downs
Their Ups and Downs 1914
as Fatty, Director
- Fatty Again
Fatty Again 1914
as Fatty Felix, Director
- Fatty's Debut
Fatty's Debut 1914
as Fatty, Director
- Bombs and Bangs
Bombs and Bangs 1914
as The Farmer's Daughter, Director
Lover's Luck 1914
as Fatty, Director
The Rounders 1914
as Mr. Fuller
- A Brand New Hero
A Brand New Hero 1914
as The Tramp, Director
- The Baggage Smasher
The Baggage Smasher 1914
as (unconfirmed)
His New Profession 1914
as Bartender Smoking Cigar
The Masquerader 1914
as Film actor
- Fatty's Gift
Fatty's Gift 1914
as Fatty, Director
- Caught in a Flue
Caught in a Flue 1914
as (unconfirmed)
Those Country Kids 1914
as Fatty, Director
- That Minstrel Man
That Minstrel Man 1914
as Belle, Director
- Those Happy Days
Those Happy Days 1914
as Fatty, Director
- The Sky Pirate
The Sky Pirate 1914
as The Heiress, Director
- A Rowboat Romance
A Rowboat Romance 1914
as (unconfirmed), Director
- Love and Bullets
Love and Bullets 1914
as Film Actor (uncredited), Director
- Fatty's Finish
Fatty's Finish 1914
as Fatty, Director
- Fatty and the Heiress
Fatty and the Heiress 1914
as Fatty, Director
The Knockout 1914
as Pug (uncredited)
- Our Country Cousin
Our Country Cousin 1914
as The Country Boy (unconfirmed)
The Alarm 1914
Actor, Director, Writer
- A Suspended Ordeal
A Suspended Ordeal 1914
as The Cop, Director
- Where Hazel Met the Villain
Where Hazel Met the Villain 1914
as Fatty, Director
- A Bath House Beauty
A Bath House Beauty 1914
as Fatty, Director
- The Chicken Chaser
The Chicken Chaser 1914
as The Hired Man, Director
- Barnyard Flirtations
Barnyard Flirtations 1914
as The Cop, Director
- A Rural Demon
A Rural Demon 1914
Actor
His Favorite Pastime 1914
as Shabby Drunk
Tango Tangles 1914
as Clarinetist
A Film Johnnie 1914
as Self
Twixt Love and Fire 1914
as The Iceman
- A Robust Romeo
A Robust Romeo 1914
as Fatty
The Water Dog 1914
as Fatty, Director
Making a Living 1914
as Tough Guy (uncredited)
- Rebecca's Wedding Day
Rebecca's Wedding Day 1914
as Rebecca
In the Clutches of the Gang 1914
as Cop
A Flirt's Mistake 1914
as Husband (uncredited)
- The Under-Sheriff
The Under-Sheriff 1914
as The Under-Sheriff
- A Misplaced Foot
A Misplaced Foot 1914
as Fatty
- Fatty's Wild Night
Fatty's Wild Night 1914
Actor
- How Old Are You?
How Old Are You? 1914
Actor
He Would a Hunting Go 1913
as Count Chicori
Some Nerve 1913
as The Jealous Man
- Fatty's Flirtation
Fatty's Flirtation 1913
as Fatty
- His Sister's Kids
His Sister's Kids 1913
as Dr. J. Jacobs
A Ride for a Bride 1913
as Fatty
The Woman Haters 1913
as 1st Old Tar
Fatty Joins the Force 1913
as Fatty
- Wine
Wine 1913
as The Waiter
- The Milk We Drink
The Milk We Drink 1913
as The Dairy Farmer
- A Small Time Act
A Small Time Act 1913
as Theatre Owner
Fatty at San Diego 1913
as Fatty
The Speed Kings 1913
as Masher
- A Quiet Little Wedding
A Quiet Little Wedding 1913
as Fatty
- Two Old Tars
Two Old Tars 1913
as First Old Tar
- Mother's Boy
Mother's Boy 1913
as Mother's Boy
- When Dreams Come True
When Dreams Come True 1913
as The Man
The Fatal Taxicab 1913
as Mabel's Sweetheart
The Gypsy Queen 1913
as Fatty
Mabel's Dramatic Career 1913
as Man in Audience
Fatty's Day Off 1913
as Fatty
Mabel's New Hero 1913
as Fatty
- Almost a Rescue
Almost a Rescue 1913
as Jimmie
The Riot 1913
as Cohen - Jewish Neighborhood Leader
- Professor Bean's Removal
Professor Bean's Removal 1913
as Man with Moustache
- Love and Courage
Love and Courage 1913
as The Country Boy
A Noise from the Deep 1913
as Bob
Love and Rubbish 1913
as Fat Boy
- The Telltale Light
The Telltale Light 1913
as Tom aka Fatty
Safe in Jail 1913
as Neighbor Woman
- Rastus and the Game Cock
Rastus and the Game Cock 1913
as Spectator
For the Love of Mabel 1913
as Suitor
A Bandit 1913
as Bully
Peeping Pete 1913
as Pete's Wife
The Waiters' Picnic 1913
as Oscar - the Waiter
- Help! Help! Hydrophobia!
Help! Help! Hydrophobia! 1913
as Jim Brown
- Passions, He Had Three
Passions, He Had Three 1913
as Henry
The Gangsters 1913
as Cop
Alas! Poor Yorick! 1913
as Player in Female Costume
Murphy's I.O.U. 1913
as (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
- A Voice from the Deep
A Voice from the Deep 1912
as Minor Role (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
The Sanitarium 1910
as Charley Wise
- Making It Pleasant for Him
Making It Pleasant for Him 1909
Actor
Mrs. Jones' Birthday 1909
Actor
Ben's Kid 1909
as Fatty Carter
Credits from TMDB.