Confirmed Years: 1913-14
Biography:
Sydney Ayres (sometimes credited as Ayers) was an American film director, writer, and actor, most known for his roles in western and social dramas. He was born Daniel Sydney Ayres on August 28, 1879, in New York City. Like most "suave and handsome" actors, he got his start in theater and was a popular West Coast theater leading man before he entered movies in 1910. In 1913, he obtained and lost the right to produce and direct several Jack London adaptations under a contract with the Balboa Amusement Producing Company. But his lack of experience did not deter him.
Later that year, he signed a one year contract with the Flying A, where he was given the chance to act and eventually write and direct. By mid-1914, he had succeeded Lorimer Johnston as American's chief director. After leaving American he continued to work in film until 1916 when he died of paralysis associated with multiple sclerosis of the spinal cord at the age of only 37 in Oakland, California. He left behind his wife and daughter, as well as his parents and two sisters.
- Holly Keomany, FM 181, Spring, 2009
Sydney Ayers, popular leading man of the "Flying A" Company, bears his laurels well. His record on the legitimate stage has been most enviable for his years. His first experience dates back to the time when Little Lord Fauntleroy was famous in America. He was one of the original four boys to play this part. He has been associated as leading man with such celebrities as E. H. Sothern and Otis Skinner. He played the part of the original clansman in Thomas Dixon's problem play "The Clansman." For Wilton Lackaye in Hall Caine's "The Bondsman," he played lead and has been identified as a star with almost all principal stock companies in America.
His experience in moving pictures dates back several years. He originated and played the leads in the "101 Bison" features produced by the New York Motion Picture Company. Later he served with the Selig and Edison companies.
- Moving Picture World, December, 1913
Confirmed American Credits:
Director --
- Story of the Olive, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Navy Aviator, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Beyond the City (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Lost Sermon, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Prince of Bohemia, A (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Oath of Pierre, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Unmasking, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Painted Lady's Child, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Nature's Touch (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Cameo of the Yellowstone (1914) Brand: American Distinctive Creation
- Feast and Famine (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Man's Way, A (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Business Versus Love (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Does it End Right? (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Trap, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Their Worldly Goods (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Aftermath, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Break! Break! Break! (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Cocoon and the Butterfly (1914) Brand: Flying A
- His Faith in Humanity (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Taming of Sunnybrook Nell, The (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Modern Rip Van Winkle, A (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Billy's Rival (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Jailbirds (1914) Brand: Flying A
- In the Open (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Sir Galahad of Twilight (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Sweet and Low (1914) Brand: Flying A
- Redbird Wins (1914) Brand: Flying A
Producer --
- Feast and Famine (1914) Brand: Flying A
Writer --
- Rose of San Juan, The (1913) - Scenario Brand: Flying A
- Child of the Desert, A (1914) - Author Brand: Flying A
- Turning Point, The (1914) - Author Brand: Flying A
- Beyond the City (1914) - Scenario Brand: Flying A
- Business Versus Love (1914) - Scenario Brand: Flying A
- Break! Break! Break! (1914) - Scenario Brand: Flying A
Actor --
- Occult, The (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- American Born (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- Trapped in a Forest Fire (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- Personal Magnetism (1913) - Simon Fletcher Brand: Flying A
- Rose of San Juan, The (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- Power of Light, The (1914) - Cliff Jackson Brand: Flying A
- Son of Thomas Gray, The (1914) - Son Brand: Flying A
- Destinies Fulfilled (1914) - John Carr Brand: Flying A
- At the Potter's Wheel (1914) - Brand:
- Blowout at Santa Banana, A (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- True Western Hearts (1914) - Brand:
- Pote Lariat of the "Flying A", The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Crucible, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Child of the Desert, A (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Call of the Traumerei, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Story of Little Italy, A (1914) - Tony Brand: Flying A
- Coming of the Padres, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Turning Point, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Certainty of Man, The (1914) - Fred, a cock-sure deputy sheriff Brand: Flying A
- Last Supper, The (1914) - Jesus Brand: Flying A
- Widow's Investment, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- David Gray's Estate (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Story of the Olive, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Navy Aviator, The (1914) - David Evans Brand: Flying A
- Metamorphosis, The (1914) - Professor Burr Brand: Flying A
- Oath of Pierre, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A