The Wellington Film Festival will screen a short documentary about a former Hollywood A-lister who retired to live a peaceful life in Wellington.

The documentary about Jack Ackroyd's life will premiere on Friday, April 21, at 6.30pm.

The town, where he relocated to almost a century ago, barely knew of his past stardom.

Jack appeared in around 70 silent films, with many featuring comedy legend Stan Laurel.

Somerset County Gazette: Jack Ackroyd and Stan Laurel

The documentary will include clips from many of Jack's films and an interview with his great-grandson, David Ackroyd.

Jack relocated to Los Angeles in 1919, finding work as a cleaner at the Max Sennet Studios.

Out of necessity, he took a screen test to earn extra cash and surprisingly discovered his appeal to the camera.

It was his role with Louise Fazenda in the comedy hit Hearts and Flowers that gave Jack his second big break.

Bigger roles came his way, especially with Mr Laurel, culminating in 13 collaborations over a decade.

His next big hit was the slightly surreal war comedy The Better 'Ole from 1926, where he shared a dugout with superstar Syd Chaplin.

Despite being injured in WWI himself, the film was a huge box-office success.

Jack, who frequently dined with Mr Laurel and mingled with other stars, was living the Hollywood dream.

However, the advent of sound movies abruptly ended his career and by 1931, Jack, his wife Florence, and their two children returned to the UK, choosing Wellington to be closer to his mother, Sophie.

They named their house in Ardwyn Loma Vista after a familiar Beverly Hills street and lived there until his passing in 1962.

For tickets to the Heritage Films event. go to http://wellingtonfilmfestival.org.uk/.