Background
Trimble was born in Robbinston, Maine, and in 1908 he sold an animal story to a magazine in New New York
Actor director screenwriter writer
Trimble was born in Robbinston, Maine, and in 1908 he sold an animal story to a magazine in New New York
Trimble began his career as an actor in the 1910 silent Saved by the Flag. He made 100 silent films between 1908 and 1926. Trimble was best known for his films starring his dogs — Jean, the Vitagraph Dog, and later Strongheart.
The magazine referred him to Vitagraph Studios to write a story about making films.
His dog became "Jean, the Vitagraph Dog", the first canine to have a leading role in motion pictures. They purchased a German shepherd police dog named Etzel von Oeringen that would become more successful.
They changed his name to Strongheart and he became the first major canine film star. They had one daughter.
Trimble ended his film career in 1926.
Trimble died due to a heart ailment February 8, 1954, at the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.
Trimble became a member of the Vitagraph company and both he and his dog Jean were employed as actors.