Walter Long's early career was marked by a significant personal milestone, as he entered into a marriage with Luray Huntley, a talented actress who was a part of D.W. Griffith's esteemed stock company. This union had a profound impact on Long's professional life, as he and Huntley went on to collaborate on several notable film projects under Griffith's direction.
Their first joint venture was the 1913 film "Traffic in Souls", a pioneering work in the crime drama genre. The duo's on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and they went on to appear together in several more films, including the 1916 releases "Let Katie Do It" and "Intolerance". These collaborations not only showcased Long's versatility as an actor but also cemented his status as a rising star in the early days of Hollywood.
Tragically, Long's personal life was forever changed when Huntley succumbed to the Spanish influenza epidemic in 1919, at the tender age of 28. This devastating loss left Long to navigate the challenges of grief and continued to work in the film industry, where he would go on to establish himself as a respected and accomplished actor.