George Beban was born in California in the year 1873. Beban was an actor, writer, director, producer, and editor of over thirty films through 1910 to the 1920s. Beban had been a minstrel performer with the legendary team of Weber & Fields. Beban personal success was achieved producing and co-writing the play "The Sign Of The Rose" in 1911. He recreated this role for Thomas Ince in 1915 in a silent film renamed "The Alien". It was done as a multi-media event with Beban live on stage interacting with the screen presentation. Beban would appear live on stage after reel 4, for 18 minutes, in a exact copy of the florist shop from the film. He became a star in the 1910's playing poor but honest immigrants who succeeded despite the odds. Beban’s son, George Beban Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as an actor from 1915 (child) to 1949. George Sr. died from a horse fall in 1928. In this portrait Beban is casually dressed in a somewhat wrinkled plaid shirt, modest vest and care worn hat. Beban is captured from the waist up, and is centered in the print. Beban's expression appears like he is in mid conversation, with a open smile and jovial eyes. Beban positions his left hand grasping his hip, as his right hand rests casually on his stomach.