Character actor George Backus was elected to The Lambs in 1893. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on June 15, 1857, Backus began his career on Broadway, appearing in productions such as The Deacon’s Daughter (April 25, 1887 – June 4, 1887) and When Johnny Comes Marching Home (December 16, 1902 – February 14, 1903). Over the course of his stage career, he amassed more than a dozen Broadway credits.
With the rise of silent films, Backus successfully transitioned to the new medium and became one of its most sought-after character actors. His notable film appearances included One of Our Girls (1914, Dr. Girodet), The Habit of Happiness (1916, Mr. Wiggins), National Red Cross Pageant (1917, King John), and Rich Man, Poor Man (1918, Henry Mapleson). Throughout his career, he frequently played supporting roles opposite such theatrical and cinematic legends as Edwin Booth, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford.
Backus was married to Luise Salather Backus. His niece, Georgia Backus, went on to become a prominent character actress herself. She was a member of Orson Welles’s Mercury Theatre, portraying Ms. Anderson in the classic film Citizen Kane.
George Backus passed away on May 20, 1939, following a heart ailment at his home on Lake End Drive in Merrick, Long Island. He was 81 years old.
–Researched and written by Lamb Bruce Roberts, 2026.