Howard Close Hickman (February 9, 1880 – December 31, 1949^[2]) was an American actor, director and writer. He was an accomplished stage leading man, who entered films through the auspices of producer Thomas H. Ince.

This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (February 2021)

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Howard Hickman
Hickman in 1916
Born	Howard Close Hickman[1] (1880-02-09)February 9, 1880 Columbia, Missouri, U.S.
Died	December 31, 1949(1949-12-31) (aged 69) San Anselmo, California, U.S.
Resting place	Mount Tamalpais Cemetery
Occupation(s)	Actor, director, writer
Years active	1912–1944
Spouse	Bessie Barriscale ​ (m. 1907)​
Children	1

Close

In 1900, Hickman debuted on stage as an extra in a production in San Francisco. He went on to act in stock theater with the Alcazar Theatre,^[3] Morosco, and Melborne MacDowell companies, among others.^[4] On Broadway, Hickman wrote, and portrayed Gabby in, The Skirt (1921).^[5]

Hickman's initial work in films was with the Lasky Pictures Company, after which he acted with the Triangle Company and later the Ince company.^[4]

In 1918, Hickman debuted as a director, with The Rainbow (for Paralta studios) as his first film.^[6] He directed 19 films.

With the rise of the sound film, Hickman returned to the film business but received mostly small roles, often as an authoritarian figure. Hickman made a brief appearance as plantation owner John Wilkes, father of Ashley Wilkes, in Gone with the Wind (1939). He ended his film career in 1944, after more than 270 films.

Hickman was married to actress Bessie Barriscale.^[6]