Dark Cloud (actor)

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Elija Tahamont or Dark Cloud was an Native American silent film actor. He was of a chief of the Algonquin tribe and prior to his film career was known as a popular lecurer. He modeled for artist Frederic Remington. He was also the father of actress Beulah Dark Cloud.

[edit] Acting Career

Dark Cloud began working for American Mutoscope and Biograph in 1910, making is first screen appearances under the direction of the legendary D.W. Griffith. Moving out to the west coast, he appeared in scores of westerns and other films during the 1910's. Though never a marquee name, Dark Cloud was He was sometimes billed as Chief Dark Cloud or as William Dark Cloud.

[edit] Personal Life and Death

Dark Cloud was known to be plagued by alcoholism. He was also known to be a womanizer, which won him many enemies. His official cause of death in 1918 was stated to be influenza, though it has been suggested that he was either murdered by a jealous husband, or from accidental drowning. There were rumors that he was still alive, and these seem somewhat substantiated by the fact that several of his films were released after his death.