Warner Baxter (1889-1951) was an American actor with a prolific career that spanned both the silent and sound film eras. His transition to sound was particularly successful, culminating in his win of the second Academy Award for Best Actor (1929) for his portrayal of The Cisco Kid in *In Old Arizona*, a film notable for being the first sound western ever produced.

Baxter was known for his elegant demeanor and often played roles of charming, self-assured men, yet with a hint of torment or complexity. He was frequently cast as professional figures such as doctors, lawyers, or detectives, as well as adventurers or historical figures. Among his other significant films are *42nd Street* (1933), in which he portrayed the renowned theatrical director Julian Marsh, and the dramatic *The Prisoner of Shark Island* (1936). His career encompassed nearly a hundred films.