Anecdotes

His on-screen persona became so famous he was able to convince Lloyd's of London to issue an insurance policy for $10,000, in the Depression-era 1930s, against damage to his professional reputation should anyone ever obtain a photograph of him smiling.

He became one of the founding members of Actors' Equity Association 1913.

Started out singing in a saloon in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada, after failing to find gold when prospecting.

Buried at Victor Valley Memorial Park Victorville, San Bernardino County, California, USA.

He has appeared in four films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: A Virtuous Vamp (1919), 42ème rue (1933), Chercheuses d'or de 1933 (1933) and Images de la vie (1934).

In his 20's Ned Sparks performed in saloons in Yukon Territory, where he was known as "The Singer of Sweet Southern Songs" and often performed wearing a straw hat, short pants and in bare feet.

Father: William Joseph Sparkman; Mother: Mary Anne Lawton.