Arthur Hoops

Who was Arthur Hoops?

Arthur Hoops was an American stage and screen actor primarily associated with actor James K. Hackett. From 1900 on Hoops supported or costarred with Hackett in three Ruritanian themed plays Rupert of Hentzau, The Pride of Jennico and most famously The Prisoner of Zenda. Both he and Hackett well over 6'4" made worthy adversaries in the famous duelling scene from 'Zenda'. It was the most famous duelling scene in the American theatre at the turn of the 20th century.

Hoops moved on to silent film in 1914, unfortunately he did not reprise his villain role in 'Zenda' when Hackett made his 1913 film version of the story for Adolph Zukor. As his screen career progressed Hoops appeared in several films with Mary Pickford, one film with Marguerite Clark and finished his career in over half a dozen films at Metro Studios starring early screen vamp Olga Petrova. Hoops died in Los Angeles at 46 following a heart attack.