Wilfred Lucas was born January 30, 1871 in Ontario, Canada. In the early 1900s, he left his native Canada for Broadway. he made his Broadway debut in 1904 with the play, "The Superstition of Sue." He achieved nationwide fame with his performance in "The Chorus Lady" in 1906, and Biograph Studios hired him on as a leading man. He made his motion picture debut in 1908 with the lead part in " The Greaser's Gauntlet". He continued his leading man status for the remaining years of the silent era, as well as becoming a part time screenwriter in 1910, and a part time director in 1912. His most famous part at the time came from the lead in "Acquitted", in 1916, which earned hom many awards from film magazines. In 1917, he married writer/actress Bess Meredyth, and although they had a son, John Meredyth Lucas, the marriage was very unhappy, and they divorced in 1927. With the coming of sound in the late 20s, Lucas lost the lead roles he once had, but achieved great success as a supporting player. He briefly returned to Broadway, but discovered the screen as his calling.He remarried in 1929,and remained married until his death. For the rest of his career, he acted as a foil for both comedians such as Laurel & Hardy or Charley Chase, and dramatic actors such as James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson. He continued acting until his death at age 69. His last two films were released after his death.