CANAAN Its really not about the title.

I like to call myself a historical actor, but my manager gave me the name The Great Historical Interpreter, said actor Kevin Titus.

But whatever title he gets or gives, Titus said he loves what he does presenting himself as famous people from the past in full costume and character, and traveling around the country to share their history.

And Titus, a lifelong Canaan resident, is always looking for his next role, in person or on the radio. On WSBS, he is host of The Man of Steel show, named after his appearances as actor George Reeves as Superman, and on Facebook with TOWK Radio, his own broadcast.

Canaan resident Kevin Titus performs a variety of historic characters. One of his favorites is Superman George Reeves.

I dress up for those, too, Titus said, referring to the WSBS broadcast.

I dress like a greaser, play 50s- 60s doo wop music, and talk about that time period. People really seem to enjoy that, he said.

Hes also listed on IMDB, a site hes constantly updating, and has appeared in documentaries, historic dramas like Turn and gangster films such as Bonnie and Clyde: The Real Story. Most recently, he had a role of an annoying fan in Being Robin, an upcoming movie about Robin Williams.

Phyllis Havers grave

Titus also has written a number of books, many about the characters hes portrayed, and if he comes across a person with an interesting story in history, he will add them to his repertoire, he said.

Most recently, that person was Phyllis Haver, a silent screen star who is buried in Canaan. One of her notable films was Chicago in 1929, in the role of Roxie Hart.

On Nov. 19, Titus, dressed in a vintage movie directors costume with his own monogrammed chair, held a tribute ceremony for Haver at Grassy Hill Cemetery, also known as the Hunts Family Cemetery.

Canaan resident Kevin Titus performs a variety of historic characters. He is dressed as a 1920s movie director for a tribute to the late actress Phyllis Haver.

My grandmother knew Phyllis, Titus said. She lived right down the road from the cemetery. Phyllis Haver died when she was 61 years old. In her original death records, according to Titus, her ashes were scattered in the Hudson River.

But I didnt believe that, because there were people in Canaan who said she was buried up here, with her mother, he said.

So I started looking into her history, her movies, her family. And shes buried right here ... I tripped over her gravestone when I finally found it. It took me two years, but I found her grave. It was a big find. This is a big deal.

Actor Kevin Titus recently held a ceremony at the grave of Phyllis Haver, a silent film star, who is buried with her mother in Canaan.

Since the tribute ceremony on Nov. 19, his phone has been ringing more than usual, with requests for interviews and more information on Haver.

The Hollywood things Ive done are the most fun because you never know what youll find, or what will happen, Titus said.

Sometimes, I go into an area or a town I like, and Ill ask, whos famous from this town? If I find someone, I might research them and see where theyre buried ... I try to find out more about them, he said. In Phyllis Havers case, her obituary was wrong, and she deserved to be found, and remembered.

Its keeping the legacy of the good part of Hollywood alive, he said.

Canaan resident Kevin Titus is pictured with his 1902 motorbike at a recent event at the Connecticut Space and Air Museum.

Favorite people

Along with Superman, Titus has performed as abolitionist John Brown, an 18th century whaler, a WWII Army officer and a Revolutionary War soldier. Hes portrayed Gustave Whitehead, an airplane bulder, and President Warren G. Harding.

On of his favorite characters, and one of the most demanding, is Benedict Arnold, a longtime Connecticut resident and Revolutionary War traitor.

Kevin Titus as President Warren G. Harding.

Im one of those guys who will play that role, because a lot of people just wont do it, Titus said.

Hes not a villain, hes a human being. So every year, this year on Dec. 5, I play Benedict Arnold at the Leffingwell House Museum in Norwich, the town where he was born and raised, he said.

He believes that like any historic figure, Benedict Arnold is worth remembering.

For so long, nobody wanted to talk about him, but hes part of our history, he said.

Around 2015, I started working on getting the Benedict Arnold Trail set up near his house, and his grave, he said. I portray him every year at the estate, and its one of my favorite events. The museum just dedicated a brick on the walkway to me: Kevin Titus, aka Benedict Arnold. I thought that was pretty great.

Canaan resident Kevin Titus performs a variety of historic characters. One of his favorites is Benedict Arnold.

Another exciting character he enjoys is Gustav Whitehead, Titus said. The Connecticut resident claims he was the first to fly a plane. In August, I got to fly in a 1902 Condor, like the one Whitehead built, Titus said.

We were at the new Connecticut Air and Space Museum, and I brought my 1902 motorbike with me, Titus said. That was a great day.

This year, he also traveled to New Jersey to portray President Harding for the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending WWI.

I played a special role, signing the armistice, he said. It was packed, more than 1,000 people, and that was the biggest events Ive ever done, at the (General John) Frelinghuysen House.

Canaan resident Kevin Titus performs a variety of historic characters. Some of his favorites are Benedict Arnold, George Reeves and past presidents such as William G. Harding.

The event recognized the Knox-Porter Resolution, a joint resolution of Congress and signed by Harding, officially ending the U.S. involvement in WW I. The original documents were signed on the estate of Joseph Frelinghuysen, Sr., a famous New Jersey family.

There were senators and congressmen there from all over the country, Titus said. One senator asked to have his picture taken with me, and the next thing you know, everyone wanted to do it. I guess I really looked like President Harding ... because I stayed in the character the whole time I was there. I always do that; I stay in character until I leave.

Titus lives in Canaan with his wife Deanna, daughter Kimberly and son Austin. He also has three stepchildren, Gina, Selina and Reuben. His wife, he said, is planning to open a museum to display his vast collection of costumes, memorabilia and artifacts hes collected over the years.

He was also involved for a time with Civil War and Revolutionary War reenactor groups, where he gained more interest and costumes to play those characters.

Canaan resident Kevin Titus performs a variety of historic characters, including an 18th century whaler.

He said he will keep doing his work as long as he can have a good time doing it.

I do it for fun thats key, Titus said. Its also to keep history alive, and to help people feel good about where they live and who they are. Its a way to help people be proud of their history, and keep legacies alive.

Canaan resident Kevin Titus performs a variety of historic characters, such as a WWII Army officer.

See the article here:

Canaan reenactor seeks to preserve history; keep legacy of 'good part of Hollywood alive' - Torrington Register Citizen