The younger brother of Noah Beery and uncle of Noah Beery, Jr., in 1902, at 16, he joined the Ringling Bros. circus as assistant to the elephant trainer; two years later he was singing in New York musical variety shows. He then alternated between Broadway musicals and Kansas City stock until 1913, when he signed a film contract with Essanay and moved to Hollywood. He started his film career modestly, in a series of comedy shorts in which he impersonated Sweedie, a Swedish maid. After appearing in several one- and two-reelers with Keystone and Universal, he formed his own company and tried, unsuccessfully, to produce films in Japan. He then returned to Hollywood to play a wide array of villainous and comic roles in feature films. In 1916 Beery married Gloria Swanson, his co-star in a series of Sennett comedies. They divorced two years later. With the advent of sound, Beery was able to shake off being typecast as a heavy and soon proved his great versatility in leading roles. His gross physique, gravel voice, rubbery face, crooked mouth, and mischievous twinkle added up to a most unlikely hero personality; yet he became one of the most popular performers of his time, often playing a lovable slob. Among his most memorable pictures were THE BIG HOUSE (1930), GRAND HOTEL (1932), DINNER AT EIGHT (1933), VIVA VILLA! (1934), THE MIGHTY BARNUM (1934), and A MESSAGE TO GARCIA (1936). He was particularly adept at playing opposite youngsters and won the best actor Academy Award (in an unprecedented tie, with Fredric March) for his performance in THE CHAMP (1931) with child-actor Jackie Cooper, with whom he later appeared in such films as THE BOWERY (1933) and TREASURE ISLAND (1934). His ideal screen-mate was Marie Dressler (MIN AND BILL, 1930, TUGBOAT ANNIE, 1933). She was succeeded by Marjorie Main.  Nominated for Actor 1929-30: THE BIG HOUSE  Actor 1931-2: THE CHAMP Tied with Fredric March 2 nominations, 1 Award