Ernest Torrance-Thomson (1878-1933) was born in Scotland and trained at the Royal College of Music, being a highly-gifted pianist and baritone singer. He toured with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company until developing an untreatable problem with his vocal cords.
Torrence emigrated to America in 1911 and worked successfully on the stage, including on Broadway. He made his first film in 1914, working steadily thereafter as a character actor, with occasional leads. He is most often seen today playing Buster Keaton’s father in Steamboat Bill Jr (1928).
Torrence’s sole MGM musical was Call of the Flesh, in which he played the hero’s mentor.
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