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The son of a well-known stage personality, William Courtleigh Jr. made his professional debut as a child in his father's production of the classic barnstormer East Lynne. After finishing his education at the University of Chicago, Courtleigh Jr. was hired by a stock company in Bridgeport, CT, and later appeared opposite the legendary Robert Mantell at the Harlem Opera House in New York City. He was Ethel Barrymore's leading man in Her Picture prior to making his screen debut in The Nightingale (1914), again opposite Barrymore. Courtleigh's great chance arrived the following year when he was cast in the title role of the Pathé serial Neal of the Navy. His leading lady was Lillian Lorraine, of Follies-fame, and the chapterplay was highly publicized. Unfortunately, something went wrong along the way and the final results were so bad that Pathé almost rejected the serial outright. Although he personally received decent enough reviews, Courtleigh was somewhat tainted by the experience and his screen career went nowhere fast. His early death was attributed to pneumonia. Courtleigh Jr.'s screen credits are sometimes mixed up with those of his father.