Al Forbes

born: 05 April 1891 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

died: 06 July 1931 Los Angeles, California, United States of America (tuberculosis, age 40)

Tall, slender Canadian-born actor who previously co-starred in L-KO comedies with Merta Sterling (1917-18), only to pop up again in a handful of Hal Roach comedies (1923-24). The 1901 Canada Census and his 1927 naturalization record both give 5 April as Al's birth date, but his World War I draft registration card says 15 April. At the time of his death (at Virginia Rest Home, Los Angeles), he had been battling chronic pulmonary tuberculosis (right side) for "4-5 years," with myocarditis (2 months) a contributing factor. His birth date was not known by the informant on his death certificate, who guessed he was about 45 years old (he was, in fact, 40). Forbes is interred at Acacia Memorial Park in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Real name: John Alastair Forbes Height: 6'0"

Films listed on this page: complete Hal Roach filmography.

16

1922 The Golf Bug Golfer 1923 Mr. Hyppo Volunteer 1923 For Safe Keeping Delivery man 1923 Frozen Hearts Soldier 1923 The Soilers [?] 1923 Fully Insured Mr. Oboe, warehouse worker 1924 The Big Idea Town counil member 1924 One Of The Family Would-be chauffeur 1924 Postage Due [?] 1924 The Cake Eater Representative 1924 Zeb vs. Paprika [?] 1924 Near Dublin Courtroom official 1924 Rupert Of Hee Haw [?] 1924 Wide Open Spaces General Custer 1924 Short Kilts [?] 1926 The Old War-Horse Union soldier

Acknowledgements: https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:MWK1-293 ([unnamed] "Forbs" [sic] in 1891 Canada Census) http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/. item/?app=Census1891&op=img& id=30953_148116-00349 (1891 Canada Census sheet, line 22) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:KHVJ-BQ1 (1901 Canada Census, with parents & Margaret, claims born in Scotland) http://data2. collectionscanada.ca/1901/z/ z001/jpg/z000011133.jpg (1901 Canada Census sheet, line 24) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:MGVD-GP8 (1910 Census, line 99 - with Helen & Margaret) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:MHQK-FHC (1920 Census, line 17 - as "Albert") https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:QGP2-1Z83 (1927 naturalization) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKS9-M71H (CA Death Index) https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP77-S92P (death certificate) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200603511 (Find a Grave) https://archive.org/stream/ movingpicturewee59movi_1#page/ n168/mode/1up/search/%22al+ forbes%22 (Moving Picture Weekly, 8 Sep 1917) https://archive.org/stream/ movingpicturewee59movi_1#page/ n433/mode/1up/search/%22al+ forbes%22 (Moving Picture Weekly, 13 Oct 1917) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:FLP2-QNS (mother Helen's death) https://www.findagrave.com/ memorial/79177965 (mother Helen at Find a Grave) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:QVRF-VPN7 (sister Margaret's birth) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:QKNY-1GRV (Margaret's 1922 marriage) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:FLV2-M8V (Margaret's death) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:MHF5-JGD (Helen, Margaret & stepfather Wm C. Roope in 1920 Census) https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1:N355-ZCZ (Wm C. Roope's death) Jim Jarvis (information) Jesse Brisson (research and help; identification in Mr. Hyppo, Near Dublin, For Safe Keeping, Frozen Hearts, The Old War-Horse, One Of The Family, The Golf Bug) This page was last updated on: 29 October 2023