Joseph Francis "Buster" Keaton (The Great Stone Face)

"Buster" Keaton was born in 1895 at a boarding house in Piqua, Kansas, in Woodson County. Keaton's parents were vaudeville-style performers, who were traveling through the area with an acting troupe when his mother gave birth. Named Joseph Francis Keaton, he was said to have been nicknamed "Buster" by escape artist Harry Houdini after he survived a fall downstairs as a baby. Another story is that the midwife that delivered him gave him the nickname after commenting on what a "big buster" he was. At the age of three, Buster began appearing on stage as part of his parents' comedy act, quickly establishing himself as the star of the troupe.

Turning to film in 1917, Keaton formed a partnership with Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle after visiting his New York studio. He made his big screen debut supporting Arbuckle in The Butcher Boy that same year. Proving himself to be a master at straight-faced slapstick, Keaton became one of the great stars of the silent film era.

Keaton graduated to features in 1923 and was quickly hailed as the only serious rival to Charlie Chaplin in the area of slapstick comedy. He was nicknamed "The Great Stone Face" because of his unchanging expression in the face of the most bizarre of on-screen perils. His MGM contract allegedly stipulated that he was never to smile on camera in order to preserve his persona. Many of his works are considered to be screen classics.

Personal problems caused Keaton's film career to wane during the 1930's and 40's. Television, however, provided him with a new medium during the 1950's and Keaton starred in his own live half-hour series. A rediscovery by the public of Keaton's genius in the early 1960's led to a resurgence in his career and he continued to work in film until his death on February 1, 1966.

In 1993 the first annual Buster Keaton Celebration was held in Iola at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. The event has grown with each year and attracts Buster Keaton fans from around the globe. The celebration is held on the last weekend in September each year.

For more information on Buster Keaton, visit the Buster Keaton Museum in Piqua, Kansas, 7 miles west of Iola. The museum is located in the Rural Water District building.