Biography

Raymond Hackett (July 15, 1902 – July 7, 1958) was an American stage and film actor whose career bridged the final years of silent cinema and the rise of early sound films. Born in New York City to a theatrical family, he made his Broadway debut at just five years old, performing as Master Raymond Hackett and quickly establishing himself as a gifted child actor. Hackett transitioned to Hollywood in the late 1920s, becoming a familiar face in early talkies. Between 1929 and 1931 he appeared in a string of major studio productions, including "The Trial of Mary Dugan," "Madame X," "Our Blushing Brides," and "Not So Dumb." His roles often cast him as earnest young men, romantic leads, or sympathetic supporting characters during a period when studios were rapidly adapting to sound technology. By the early 1930s, Hackett stepped away from film and returned to the stage, where he continued to work steadily in touring productions and regional theater. His personal life included marriages to actress Myra Hampton and later to silent‑film star Blanche Sweet, with whom he remained until his death. Raymond Hackett died in Los Angeles in 1958 at age 55.