Deadpan vaudeville days, Buster Keaton developed his deadpan expression. Keaton realized that audiences responded better to his stony expression than when he smiled, and he carried this style into his silent film career. The 1980 film "Airplane!" was performed almost entirely in deadpan. Many popular American sitcoms use deadpan expressions to deliver dry humor, including "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Arrested Development", and "My Name Is Earl". More recent examples are Andre Braugher as Captain Raymond Holt from the TV show "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", Jennette McCurdy as Sam Puckett in "iCarly", and Louis C.K. in "Louie". Another example is the comedy of Steven Wright.
Joseph Kilgour Joseph Kilgour Joseph Kilgour (11 July 1863 – 21 April 1933) was a Canadian actor of the silent film era. He was a well-known veteran stage actor in Broadway theatre before entering silent films. He appeared in 57 films between 1909 and 1926. Kilgour was born in Ayr, Ontario, Canada to Joseph Kilgour Sr. and Mary Anderson, who married 29 Sep 1856. Kilgour was one of seven children of the general store owner. Kilgour left Ayr and moved to the United States to pursue his acting career. Kilgour retired from acting and died in Long Island, New York in 1933.