William Burr McIntosh was born in Ohio in 1862, the son of William Ambrose, President of the public utility and Cleveland Gas Coal Company. He received his education at Lafayette College in Princeton, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity in 1884.
As a performer, McIntosh made a name for himself on the Broadway stage, with his most notable role being in the 1905 production of "Trilby." He was a versatile actor, appearing in both drama and comedy films, often taking on starring and supporting roles.
McIntosh's film career spanned over two decades, with his first film being the starring role in "In Mizzoura" (1914) for the All Star Feature Film Co. He went on to appear in numerous films, including "Way Down East" (1920),starring Lillian Gish, and "The Richest Girl in the World" (1934),starring Miriam Hopkins, for the RKO Film Co.
In addition to his acting career, McIntosh was a dedicated philanthropist, particularly in the area of collecting toys for poor families. He was also a publisher, author, and lecturer, characterizing himself as "The Cheerful Philosopher." McIntosh was a pioneer in radio acting, and he owned a film production company.
Tragically, McIntosh passed away from a heart attack in Hollywood in 1942 at the age of 80.
