from 1906 to 1912, he worked a series of odd jobs, but then became an actor on the theatrical stage with the harry frazee company. he was with the frazee troupe from 1912 to 1917. at the outbreak of world war i, he enlisted in the united states marine corps, and was one of 19 men selected to act as president woodrow wilson's honor guard. he also served as a marine guard at the state, war and navy building in washington, d.c., and for a few months was the military orderly for united states secretary of the navy josephus daniels.