Before he became an actor, Thomson had been a Presbyterian minister in the Nevada gold fields, and had been appointed as Nevada state commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America.
Fred and Frances were married in November of 1919 in New York City, with screen star Mary Pickford, who introduced the couple, serving as maid of honor.
Only one of Fred's 24 feature films is today available to the public.
Pallbearers at his funeral included Harold Lloyd, Charles Farrell, Douglas Fairbanks, and George W. Hill; honorary pallbearers included Buster Keaton and movie mogul Joseph M. Schenck
Uncle of Carson Thomson.