Director
Fred Niblo
Born 6 January 1874 · York, Nebraska, USA — died 11 November 1948
Fred Niblo (1874–1948) was an American director, actor and producer who moved into film after years in vaudeville and theatre. He directed swashbucklers starring Douglas Fairbanks and the 1925 epic Ben-Hur, one of the most expensive and successful silent films of its time.
Key films
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)On Cinespective
His biggest hit: a lavish silent epic and one of the most expensive films of its era.
The Mark of Zorro (1920)
Launched Douglas Fairbanks as an action hero and helped define the swashbuckler.
The Three Musketeers (1921)
A second Fairbanks adventure, a major success that confirmed Niblo as a top studio director.
Blood and Sand (1922)
Starred Rudolph Valentino in a bullfighting drama, showing Niblo's range beyond adventure films.
The Temptress (1926)
An early American film for Greta Garbo, her second Hollywood production.
Key awards
No major awards are documented here.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 57
- 1918Coals of Fire · as Rev. Charles AldenActor
- 1918Fuss and FeathersDirector
- 1918When Do We Eat?Director
- 1918The Marriage RingDirector
- 1919Dangerous HoursDirector
- 1919The Haunted BedroomDirector
- 1919Partners ThreeDirector
- 1919What Every Woman LearnsDirector
- 1919Stepping OutDirector
- 1919The Law of MenDirector
- 1919The Virtuous ThiefDirector
- 1919Happy Though MarriedDirector
- 1920The Mark of ZorroDirector
- 1920SexDirector
- 1920The Woman in the SuitcaseDirector
- 1920The False RoadDirector
- 1920Silk HosieryDirector
- 1920Her Husband's FriendDirector
- 1920HairpinsDirector
- 1920Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 7) · as selfActor
- 1921The Three MusketeersDirector
- 1921Mother o' MineDirector
- 1921Greater Than LoveDirector
- 1922Blood and SandDirector
- 1922Scandalous Tongues · as Reverend Charles AldenActor
- 1922The Bootlegger's Daughter · as Reverend Charles AldenActor
- 1922The Woman He MarriedDirector
- 1922Rose o' the SeaDirector
- 1923Souls for Sale · as Self - Celebrity DirectorActor
- 1923The Famous Mrs. FairDirector
- 1923Strangers of the NightDirector
- 1924The Red LilyDirector
- 1924Hello, 'Frisco · as Fred NibloActor
- 1924Thy Name Is WomanDirector
- 1925Ben-Hur: A Tale of the ChristDirector
- 19251925 Studio Tour · as SelfActor
- 1926The TemptressDirector
- 1927The EnemyDirector
- 1927CamilleDirector
- 1927The Devil DancerDirector
- 1928The Mysterious LadyDirector
- 1928Dream of LoveDirector
- 1928Two LoversDirector
- 1929A Man's Man · as Fred Niblo (uncredited)Actor
- 1930Free and Easy · as HimselfActor
- 1930Way Out WestDirector
- 1930RedemptionDirector
- 1930Estrellados · as Self (Guest Appearance)Actor
- 1931The Big GambleDirector
- 1931Young Donovan's KidDirector
- 1932Diamond Cut DiamondDirector
- 1932Two White ArmsDirector
- 1940Ellery Queen, Master Detective · as John BraunActor
- 1940I'm Still Alive · as Fred, Third DirectorActor
- 1941Life with Henry · as Mr.Sam AldrichActor
- 1942Once Upon a Honeymoon · as Ship's Captain (uncredited)Actor
- 1943Crazy House · as Studio ExecutiveActor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.