Francis Ford

Francis Ford (born Francis Joseph Feeney; August 14, 1881 – September 5, 1953) was an American film actor, writer and director. He was the mentor and elder brother of film director John Ford. As an actor, director and producer, he was one of the first filmmakers in Hollywood. He also appeared in many of his brother John's movies as a character actor, including The Informer (1935), Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) and The Quiet Man (1952). He gave a memorable performance as one of the men who are lynched in The Ox-Bow Incident. Biography He was born Francis Joseph Feeney in Portland, Maine on August 14, 1881, the son of John Augustine Feeney and Barbara "Abbey" Curran. An Irish immigrant, John Feeney was born in the village of Spiddal, County Galway, Ireland, on June 15, 1854. By 1878, John had moved to Portland, Maine, and opened a saloon, at 42 Center Street, that used a false front to pose as grocery store. John opened four others in following years. Francis Feeney served in the United States Army in the Spanish–American War but was sent home for being underage. Leaving Portland, he drifted into the film business in New York City, working for David Horsley and Al Christie. Moving to Texas, he was part of the Star Film Company's San Antonio operation under Gaston Méliès.