The Accidental Star - The Life and Films of Warner Baxter

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A Best Actor Academy Award winner, Warner Baxter enjoyed a four-decade acting career, featuring in 104 films and earning acclaim as the highest-paid actor in Hollywood in 1938. Despite his popularity and philanthropic efforts, Baxter struggled with deep insecurities and self-doubt, often unable to appreciate his own successes. His life was marked by a series of accidents and personal tragedies that exacerbated his inner turmoil, making his unhappiness seem more understandable in light of his history. Tragically, since his death in 1951, Baxter's legacy has faded into obscurity, raising questions about how such a celebrated actor could be forgotten. The narrative explores Baxter's complex life and career, seeking to uncover the reasons behind his decline in recognition. Author Dan Van Neste, a biographer with over thirty years of experience in chronicling entertainment history, has written three acclaimed film books and continues to delve into the stories of overlooked talents. He resides in Lansing, Michigan.