Gene Pollar

Infobox actor
name = Gene Pollar

---

birthname = Joseph C. Pohler
birthdate = birth date|1892|9|16
birthplace = New York, USA
deathdate = death date and age|1971|10|20|1892|9|16
deathplace = Florida, USA

Gene Pollar (September 16, 1892 - October 20, 1971) was the stage name of New York City firefighter Joseph C. Pohler.

Background

At age 28, the 6'2", 215 pound Pohler became the second actor to portray Tarzan in films. When Numa pictures tried to contract Elmo Lincoln for another Tarzan film, he declined, so one of the Weiss brothers, while on a visit to New York, signed Pohler to a contract to star in "The Return of Tarzan", based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel "The Return of Tarzan", and also changed his name to Gene Pollar.

Production

Pollar was paid $100 per week. The production was sold to Goldwyn Distribution Corporation in April 1920. As a precautionary measure, since it featured a new star, the film was retitled "The Revenge of Tarzan" just two weeks prior to its opening on July 20, 1920. The film was a success, but Numa refused to release Pollar to accept a contract from Universal Pictures.

Later life

The disgruntled Pollar returned to firefighting and ended his acting career. In 1944 he became a purchasing agent for a retail store chain for which he worked until his retirement to West Hollywood, Florida.