American actor and writer. His Standard Casting Directory ads note his proficiencies as a versatile character actor -- playing leads and heavies, and English and French characters -- in classic, drama, and comedy genres, with a complete wardrobe, and that he was an "experienced female impersonator."
He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, ranked Private; he served in the 9th New York Infantry, Company M, from 23 June to 31 October 1898, then in the 4th U.S. Infantry, Company M, 30 December 1898 to 21 June 1901, when he was granted a disability discharge. His 1929 military home record mentions that by that time, he had "suppurative otitis media" (eardrum damage) and defective hearing and vision. He also worked as an accountant and clerk.
Although the natural spelling of his surname seems to be Brunner, he went by the spelling of Bronner later on (as would his son Robert). On 27 November 1902, he married Eleanor Elizabeth Castle (1884-1909), with whom he would have two sons, George Livingston Brunner (1905-1979) and Robert Joseph Brunner, later known as cinematographer Robert J. Bronner (1907-1969). Sadly, Eleanor passed on 17 May 1909; it appears Jack never remarried, and adopted his late wife's maiden surname as his professional surname. After his 1953 passing, he was cremated through Westwood Memorial Park (now Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary) in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. |
