Percy Challenger

{{Short description|British-American actor (1858–1932)}}

Percy Challenger (September 3, 1858 – July 23, 1932){{Cite book|last=Vazzana|first=Eugene Michael|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J5ZZAAAAMAAJ&q=percy+challenger+film|title=Silent film necrology|publisher=McFarland|year=2001|isbn=0-7864-1059-0|edition=2nd|location=Jefferson, N.C.|page=85|oclc=46822379}} was a film and theater actor in the United States. He appeared in dozens of films.

He was born in England. He acted in and managed the eastern tour of Virginia Drew Prescott (Melbourne MacDowell)'s playlet Man of the People.{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f_JNAQAAMAAJ&q=%22percy+challenger%22+supporting+actor&pg=RA18-PA18 | title=The New York Dramatic Mirror| year=1909}}

Challenger was a vaudeville actor. A 1911 performance in Chicago was reviewed by The Billboard, reading, "Percy Challenger, an English entertainer, was first on the program, and although his act was rather odd, it seemed to take very well. Mr. Challenger's work as an elocutionist was very good"."The Vaudeville Week in Chicago: The Bill at the Clark Theatre." The Billboard. Vol. 23, Iss. 9, (Mar 4, 1911): 9, 57. {{ProQuest|}}

He won plaudits as a supporting actor in films.{{Cite news|date=October 9, 1909|title=Temple's New Show: Two Well-Known Stars to Head Company in Sketch|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20011318/fort-wayne-daily-news/|newspaper=Fort Wayne Daily News|pages=5|via=newspapers.com}} His performance in Flames of Chance (1918) was received as "clever" in a review in Variety."Moving Pictures: Flames of Chance." Variety. Vol. 49, Iss. 8, (Jan 18, 1918): 41. Via {{ProQuest|}}. Variety reviewed his performance in Trumpet (1920) positively, noting, "Percy Challenger comes in for a bit in the role of Valinsky, a dunk-investor. The detail with which he dresses the character is striking. He also contributed valuable assistance...""Pictures: Trumpet Island." Variety. Vol. 60, Iss. 9, (Oct 22, 1920): 41. {{ProQuest| }}.

He continued his theatre involvement during his time in California. He was involved with Marion Warde Dramatic School in Los Angeles."Echoes of Music Activity Here." Los Angeles Times 1 June 1924: 37. Via Proquest. He performed humorous monologues and pianologues at the opening of the Alhambra Community Theatre in November 1924."Glendale Ball Park in Ruins." Los Angeles Times. 01 Dec 1924: A8. {{ProQuest| }}.

Several months before he died, Challenger performed as various Dickens characters in La Canada, California.{{Cite news|date=1932-04-07|title=Screen Actor Is Scheduled|pages=6|work=The Pasadena Post|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71559545/screen-actor-is-scheduled/|access-date=2021-02-20}} He died on July 23, 1932, in Los Angeles, California.{{Cite news|date=1932-07-31|title=Obituary for Percy Challenger|pages=24|work=The Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71559770/obituary-for-percy-challenger/|access-date=2021-02-20}}

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