Fatty Arbuckle Tragedy

Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was a pioneering silent film actor, comedian, and director, born on March 24, 1887, in Kansas. He rose to fame in the 1910s, working alongside icons like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, and was one of the highest-paid actors of his time. Known for his physical comedy and impressive agility, Arbuckle starred in numerous successful comedies, creating a beloved "Fatty" persona that was a staple in early Hollywood. However, his career took a dramatic turn in 1921 when he was accused of raping and murdering actress Virginia Rappe during a party. Although he was tried three times and eventually acquitted, the scandal ruined his career, and he became one of the first major victims of the Hollywood "scandal culture." Despite being cleared legally, his reputation never fully recovered. Arbuckle struggled to find work under his name but continued directing films under the pseudonym William Goodrich until his death in 1933 from a heart attack.