Was educated at England's Oxford University and produced plays in that country before returning to America. He played bit parts in a handful of early silent films and also worked as scenario editor and (subsequently) director of comedies for Keystone. Became supervising director at Fox in 1920. In the mid-'20s worked at various times for
Mack Sennett and
Hal Roach as writer/director for such iconic comedy stars as
Harry Langdon and
Will Rogers.