The Watsons were an American family of 9 sibling actors who were known as “the first family of Hollywood.” Bobs, Garry, Delmar, Billy, Harry, Louise, Gloria, Vivian, and Coy Jr. were all first active as child actors in silent motion picture films, signing their first contract with Mac Sennett’s Keystone Studios, which was located just 600 feet from the Watson family. home. The studio needed child actors for films, and J. C. Watson, Sr., provided his kids. The Watson children worked with stars from the early Hollywood era, notably Jimmy Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Fred Astaire, Shirley Temple, Katharine Hepburn, and Henry Fonda. Several members of the Watson family also worked as press, newsreel and television photographers during their adult careers. Only Bobs Watson continued acting, appearing in films into the 1970s, and on TV shows including The Lucy Show and The Beverly Hillbillies. The Watson family was honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999. Today, Garry Watson (pictured above), who was born in 1928 and made his acting debut in 1929 when he was an infant, is the only living member of the Watson family and the only silent film star still living. Not much is known about his personal life, except that he currently resides in Burbank, Calif., and is 94. “Nobody recognizes me on the street today but I’m okay with that. I’m proud of those years.”
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| Bobs, Garry, Delmar, Billy, Harry, Louise, Gloria, Vivian, Coy Jr and their mother |
