Gareth Hughes: A Life in Pictures

In May 1958, Reno and San Francisco newspapers announced that Gareth Hughes, Welsh-born silent screen celebrity and Shakespearean stage actor, was leaving his mission to Pyramid Lake Paiute Indians and returning to his homeland. The widespread and richly deserved praise for nearly two decades of tireless dedication to Nevada Indians was also punctuated with mysteries, theological controversies, and issues of personal identity. His legacy lives on today in the reminiscences of older members of northern Nevada's Paiute communities. They fondly remember his love, warmth, intelligence, and dedication to bettering the lives of those around him. At the same time, though, the questions surrounding his earlier life and relationships in Hollywood, California still linger.

All photographs courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library.

For further information see John Marschall's article on Gareth Hughes.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes as a young actor, 1912. Hughes was born William John Hughes at Llanelli, Wales on August 23, 1894. He began his career at the age of seventeen, when he joined a London-based troupe of Welsh actors.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes playing "Lady Godiva" for the W.B. Wolfe Repertoire Company in England, 1913.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

A publicity card from the period when Gareth Hughes acted in the play Little Miss Llewelyn, 1913. A few years after this photo was taken, Hughes made his way to the United States, where he began to regularly appear on stage in New York City.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

A promotional photo of Gareth Hughes for the Metro Pictures production company, most likely from the late 1910s or 1920s. Hughes acted in his first movie in 1918.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Interior shot of Gareth Hughes' home in Hollywood, California. Notice the lavish décor, a symbol of the type of life that Hughes led in Hollywood and for which he was well known.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Another interior shot of Gareth Hughes' home in Hollywood.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes standing next to a road sign somewhere near the Paiute Indian Reservation at Pyramid Lake, Nevada. In the late 1930s, Hughes suddenly left Hollywood to enter a monastery in Massachusetts. In 1942, he began his missionary work among the Paiutes at the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation 250 miles north of Pyramid Lake.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in McDermitt, Nevada. Hughes began his missionary career with Paiute tribal members living in McDermitt. He was also permanently stationed in this community during his final year of missionary work and at other times he would regularly make the commute from Nixon and Wadsworth.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes standing on the porch in front of his McDermitt home.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes posing in full religious garb during his time in McDermitt.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes posing with a confirmation class in McDermitt, March 1949. Hughes was especially skilled at working with Paiute youth.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes standing in front of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church in Nixon, Nevada. Hughes was sent to the larger Nixon church in late 1949 after a successful stint in McDermitt.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Interior shot of St. Mary's Church, with Gareth Hughes standing on the left.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes standing next to the Meditation Altar at St. Mary's Church. Notice the service flag hanging above the altar in honor of the war dead.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes standing next to St. Mary's Church with three Paiute Indian children. Many older Paiutes today still fondly remember their time under the tutelage of Brother David (as he came to be known).

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes standing with Daniel Sweet Pea (left) and Curtis Wounded Knee (right), two Paiute Indian children.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes leading a blind man through the streets of Nixon. Hughes earned a reputation within the northern Nevada Paiute communities as a 'beloved icon of Christian care.'

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes posing with students after giving the baccalaureate address at Fernley High School, 1950. For ten years during the 1940s and 1950s, Gareth Hughes gave the annual address at this high school.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes (front row, center) standing with his congregation at the Union Church in Wadsworth, Nevada. Hughes regularly served the Union Church while he lived in Nixon and Wadsworth.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Students of the Union Church school in Wadsworth.

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Photograph courtesy of Special Collections, University of Nevada-Reno Library

Gareth Hughes standing outside his house in Wadsworth. In 1955, Hughes was sent back to McDermitt, but only served there for one year, having to retire from monastic life in 1956 due to a worsening lung condition called byssinosis. After a brief return to Wales, he spent his remaining years at the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Hughes died there on October 1, 1965.

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