AllMovie

A graduate of the University of California, Idaho-born Fred J. Butler came to films in 1915 after, according to his official studio bio, "30 years experience as an actor-director." Although appearing in scores of mainly low-budget films from 1915-1925, Butler is today only remembered as the father of silent screen light leading man David Butler, himself a future director of some note. Between 1920 and 1922, Fred would direct young David in no less than six programmers released by David Butler Productions. Fred J. Butler's final directorial effort, however, was the Hal Roach Laurel & Hardy comedy short Flying Elephants (1927). He died of kidney failure.