According to a 1912 newspaper report, McLaglen participated in a fencing duel with one Carl Brosius in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, prior to that date.
Before becoming an actor, he worked as a carnival boxer. If anyone could stay in the ring with him for one round and not be knocked down, they won a box of cigars.
Born British, McLaglen became a U.S. citizen in January, 1933.
Boxed and wrestled under the nickname 'Sharkey' McLaglen, as well as under his real name, prior to his movie career. His lifetime boxing record (as far as is known) was 11-6-1, with 9 KOs. His 1909 bout with legendary champion Jack Johnson in Vancouver was a six-round exhibition bout.
Brother of actor Cyril McLaglen.
Brother of actor Clifford McLaglen.
Brother of actor Kenneth McLaglen
Brother of actor Leopold McLaglen.
Brother of actor and sculptor Arthur McLaglen.
Claimed he was four years older than he really was so he could enlist in the London Life Guards and fight in the Boer War.
Daughter Sheila McLaglen born 1920.
During the British administration of the League of Nations mandate of Mesopotamia (now Iraq) in the 1920s, McLaglen, who was a sergeant in the British army, was appointed provost marshal - chief of military police - for Baghdad.
Father of film director Andrew V. McLaglen.
Father-in-law of actress Veda Ann Borg.
First performer to win an Oscar for a performance in a remake. The Informer (1935), the movie that won him an Oscar, was a remake of The Informer (1929).
Grandfather of Mary McLaglen.
Grandfather of Assistant Director and Executive Producer Josh McLaglen.
Grandfather of Director Gwyneth Horder-Payton.
He died about a month after his final role in an episode of "Rawhide" (1959), directed by his son Andrew V. McLaglen.
He left home at fourteen to join the army with the intention of fighting in the Second Boer War. However much to his disappointment, he was stationed at Windsor Castle and was later forced to leave the army when his true age was discovered.