(real name, Mickall Sinnott). Born Jan. 17, 1880, in Richmond, Ontario; died there Nov. 5, 1960. American film director and actor.

In 1902, Sennett began a career as a comedian, singer, and dancer in various New York theaters. In 1908 he began acting in motion pictures. He later became an assistant director, and in 1910 began directing his own films. In 1912 he founded his own motion-picture company, the Keystone Studio. Sennett created a new genre in American comedy, based on slapstick humor and illogical but witty tricks. He discovered several actors and actresses who achieved world fame, including C. Chaplin, M. Normand, R. (Fatty) Arbuckle, B. Turpin, G. Swanson, B. Keaton, and H. Lloyd. From 1916 he worked mainly as a producer. After the introduction of sound motion pictures, Sennett tried without success to continue making films in the style he had developed, and in 1935 retired from the motion-picture industry.