FRANCIS X. BUSHMAN (1883 - 1966)
First Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal

Born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 10th, 1883, silent screen star Francis Xavier Bushman, became a wrestler, boxer, bicycle racer, artist's model, and student of sculpture. He began his acting career by played in repertoire and stock companies, and moved to the silent screen in 1911with the Essanay Company. Four years later was hired by Metro. He also worked for Vitagraph studio.

Bushman is best remembered for his role as Messala in the original 1925 film version of "Ben-Hur" with Ramon Novarro who played Judah Ben-Hur. A body builder, Bushman was six feet tall and muscular. He actually towered over Ramon Navarro in "Ben-Hur" such that the crew had to dig a hole for him to stand in when the two were in scenes together. The most expensive silent film ever made, "Ben-Hur" cost 3.9 million dollars, a huge budget for that time. Bushman's role of Messala was later played by Stephen Boyd in a 1959 version.

Earning high salaries for his movie roles, Bushman, always generous, donated land to Sid Graumann for the famous Graumann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Early in his career, he was chosen for romantic leads, then took on parts as strong men and villains.

Bushman married four times and produced three boys and three girls, one of whom was Virginia Bushman, the mother of Michael Conway. In later years Francis played small roles in films and on television. In 1954 he was Mr. Tyson in Billy Wilder's "Sabrina."

Bushman was selected as the very first grand marshal in the 1959 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival parade. He died of a heart attack, brought on by a fall, August 23, 1966 in Pacific Palisades.

MICHAEL CONWAY
Grandson of Francis X. Bushman

Michael Conway was born in Hollywood, California, the son of the late Virginia Bushman and Jack Conway. Virginia Bushman was the daughter of silent film star Francis X. Bushman, known in his day as the "First Movie Idol" and "The King of Hollywood". Michael Conway's father, Jack Conway, was a director at Metro Goldwyn Mayer studios for 28 years where he directed over 30 films including the acclaimed "A Tale of Two Cities" plus many Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Carole Lombard and Jean Harlow films. He was an uncredited director of "A Star is Born" along with director William Wellman. A director from 1916 to 1948, Jack first began a career in the film industry as an actor in 1906.

Michael spent his early years on a farm in Pacific Palisades. He graduated from Pomona College with a BA degree and later attended Stanford University Business School. He married Lynn, a New Jersey girl, and they have two sons, John and David and two grandchildren, Heath and Bree.

For many years Michael was a contract administrator for Swedlow, Inc., an airplane manufacturer, a job he enjoyed a great deal. An active member for many years of the Big Brothers organization, Michael has helped fatherless boys cope with life. He still maintains contact with one of his little "brothers" and they have enjoyed a 40 year relationship.

After retiring, he has enjoyed sports, music, reading and singing. He has sung with master chorale groups in Los Angeles and Orange County and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Westminster's choir for over 10 years. Mike and Lynn have lived in Huntington Beach for over 40 years.