Once celebrated in the silent film era, Fatty Arbuckle found himself at the center of a shocking scandal when he was arrested in San Francisco on charges of raping and murdering aspiring actress Virginia Rappe.

Despite being acquitted by a jury, the incident tarnished Arbuckle’s reputation and effectively brought his illustrious career to a halt.

Born on March 24, 1887, in Smith Center, Kansas, Roscoe Conkling Arbuckle initially made a name for himself as a vaudeville performer.

Transitioning to the silver screen in 1913, he gained fame for his roles in Mack Sennett’s Keystone Cops comedies, where his comedic antics, including famous pie-throwing scenes, endeared him to audiences.

By 1917, Arbuckle had established his own production company, delving into writing and directing films that often featured his close friend and fellow comedian, Buster Keaton.

His talent led to a groundbreaking $1 million per year contract with Paramount Pictures in 1919, a remarkable achievement for that era.

In September 1921, Arbuckle journeyed to San Francisco with two companions for a brief getaway, staying at the St. Francis Hotel.

A fateful party thrown by the trio took a tragic turn when Virginia Rappe, a young guest under the influence of alcohol, fell seriously ill.

Succumbing to peritonitis caused by a bladder rupture, Rappe’s death sparked allegations from another guest, Maude Delmont, accusing Arbuckle of rape and causing the fatal injury.

The subsequent arrest of Arbuckle by San Francisco authorities on September 11 triggered a media frenzy and public outrage.

Despite fervently proclaiming his innocence, Arbuckle faced severe backlash as his films were boycotted by audiences unaccustomed to such scandals.

The ambitious district attorney of San Francisco zealously pursued the case, despite doubts arising about Delmont’s credibility due to her criminal past.

Revelations emerged later of alleged witness tampering by the prosecution, casting further doubt on the integrity of the trial.

Following two inconclusive trials, Arbuckle was finally acquitted in his third trial, with the jury extending an apology for the ordeal he endured.

However, the film industry in the United States imposed a temporary ban on Arbuckle, forcing him to adopt a pseudonym, William B. Goodrich, for subsequent directorial ventures.

Despite his efforts to revive