Howard Charles Hickman (February 9, 1880 – December 31, 1949) was an American actor, director and writer. He was an accomplished stage leading man, who entered films through the auspices of producer Thomas H. Ince. Career In 1900, Hickman debuted on stage as an extra in a production in San Francisco. He went on to act in stock theater with the Alacazar, Morosco, and Melborne MacDowell companies, among others. On Broadway, Hickman wrote, and portrayed Gabby in, The Skirt (1921). Hickman's initial work in films was with the Lasky Pictures Company, after which he acted with the Triangle Company and later the Ince company. In 1918, Hickman debuted as a director, with The Rainbow (for Paralta studios) as his first film. He directed 19 films. With the rise of the sound film, Hickman returned to the film business but received mostly small roles, often as an authoritarian figure. Hickman made a brief appearance as plantation owner John Wilkes, father of Ashley Wilkes, in Gone with the Wind (1939). He ended his film career in 1944, after more than 270 films. Personal life and death Hickman was married to actress Bessie Barriscale. He died of myocardial infarction in San Anselmo, California, and is buried at the Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, San Rafael, California. Selected filmography As actor The Circus Man (1914) as Artful Dick Cronk The Cup of Life (1915) as Higsby The Man from Oregon (1915) as 'Honest' Jim Martin Civilization (1915) as Count Ferdinand The Moral Fabric (1916) as Mackley Stuart The Wolf Woman (1916) as John Morton The Jungle Child (1916) as Ridgeway Webb Somewhere in France (1916) as Lt. Charles Ravignac The Honorable Algy (1916) as Lord Rockmore The Sin Ye Do (1916) as Robert Darrow The Female of the Species (1916) as Carleton Condon Chicken Casey (1917) as 'Dickey' Cochran Blood Will Tell (1917) as James Black The Snarl (1917) as Jack Mason Wooden Shoes (1917) as Jack Smith Those Who Pay (1917) as George W. Graham Madam Who? (1918) as Henry Morgan The Cast-Off (1918) as Dr. Jim Thorpe Blue Blood (1918) as Spencer Wellington Rose o' Paradise (1918) as Lafe Grandoken Social Ambition (1918) as Vincent Manton Maid o' the Storm (1918) as Jules Picardo Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928) as Mr. Lane The Broadway Hoofer (1929) as Larry His First Command (1929) as Maj. Hall Hello Sister (1930) as John Stanley Brothers (1930) as John