American stage actor and director, Blinn, was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, having made numerous silent film appearances. Born and raised in San Francisco, he attended nearby Stanford University, where his passion for acting began to take shape.
As a child, Blinn made his acting debut at the tender age of six, marking the start of his long and illustrious stage career. After completing his education, he resumed acting, eventually becoming a prominent figure on Broadway. His talents did not go unnoticed, as he began to direct many of the plays he appeared in.
In 1914, Blinn made his film debut, and his success on screen and stage continued for the remainder of his life. However, his career was not without controversy. During the volatile strike of stage actors in 1919, which led to the formation of the actors' union, Actors Equity, Blinn was one of a minority of actors who sided with the opposition, the producers.
Blinn served as president of the Actors Fidelity League, which unsuccessfully fought the formation of the actors' union. This decision had far-reaching consequences, as it led to a rift in the acting community.
In his personal life, Blinn enjoyed a peaceful retreat at Journey's End, his country home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. However, tragedy struck when he was thrown from a horse during a vacation. Despite initially appearing to be recovering well, the injury to his arm became infected, leading to respiratory failure.
Sadly, Blinn's life was cut short on June 24, 1928, at the age of 56. His untimely death marked the end of a remarkable career, leaving behind a legacy of his many achievements on stage and screen.
