Joseph Hallie Keaton (July 6, 1867 – January 13, 1946) was a prominent American vaudeville artist and silent film actor, renowned as the father of the legendary comedian Buster Keaton. Born near Terre Haute, Indiana, to Libbie Jane and Joseph Francis Keaton IV, Joe ventured out on his own in 1889 during the Oklahoma Land Rush, where he claimed land northwest of Edmond. His early days in Oklahoma were marked by a grim encounter with a neighboring homesteader's murder, which he and a few others sought to avenge.
On May 31, 1894, Joe married Myra Edith Cutler, who later became his stage partner in the vaudeville act known as the Two Keatons. They welcomed three children, including Joseph Frank Keaton, famously known as Buster, along with Harry and Louise. Buster joined the family act at a young age, transforming it into the Three Keatons, a dynamic performance showcasing physical comedy.
As time passed, Joe struggled with alcoholism, leading to a difficult relationship with Myra, who ultimately left him when Buster turned 21. Despite personal challenges, Joe maintained a connection with his son, appearing in several of Buster's films after the latter achieved fame. Although Myra and Joe briefly reunited, they eventually parted ways again. Joe spent his later years alone in a Hollywood hotel and eventually overcame his alcoholism with support from a girlfriend.
Joe Keaton passed away on January 13, 1946. While the New York Times reported his death at home, Buster recalled a different account involving an accident. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Inglewood Cemetery, California, which was later honored with a headstone thanks to devoted fans in 2018.
