Harry 'Snub' Pollard

Biography

Harry 'Snub' Pollard (November 9, 1889 – January 19, 1962) was a notable Australian vaudevillian who transitioned into a celebrated silent film comedian in Hollywood during the 1920s.

Born Harold Fraser in Melbourne, Australia, Pollard began his performance career at a young age with Pollard's Lilliputian Opera Company, a successful troupe known for touring Australia and New Zealand. He adopted the stage name "Snub" early on, which would become synonymous with his comedic persona.

In 1908, Pollard ventured to North America with the company and eventually settled in the US. By 1915, he began appearing in uncredited roles in films, including a notable appearance in Charlie Chaplin's short, *By the Sea*. His big break came when Hal Roach, impressed by his stage performance, offered him a series of starring roles in one- and two-reel shorts, with *It's a Gift* (1923) standing out for its inventive comedic style.

After a trip back to Australia in early 1923, Pollard returned to a changing film landscape. He briefly joined the Weiss Brothers studio, where he co-starred with Marvin Loback, mimicking the popular duo Laurel and Hardy. Despite facing challenges during the Great Depression and the advent of sound films, Pollard continued to work in the industry, making appearances in various comedies and westerns throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

Pollard passed away from cancer at the age of 72, leaving behind a rich legacy in film. His contributions to cinema were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6415½ Hollywood Boulevard.