Unable to find an engineering job in the United States, he became an actor. Kilpack's first acting job was as Michael Cassio in Othello. World War I interrupted Kilpack's early stage career; he became a member of the Royal Flying Corps and was stationed in Canada as salvage department head at a large flying field. In this capacity, he dismantled the plane in which Vernon Castle, the dancer, crashed.Bennett Kilpack (Doc Barclay), Columbia Broadcasting System Biographical Service, 1939-11-29, on file at The New York Public Library, Lincoln Center
