Byron Simon Houck (August 28, 1891 – June 17, 1969) was an American professional baseball pitcher and cinematographer.
He played in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics, Brooklyn Tip-Tops, and St. Louis Browns from 1912 to 1914 and in 1918.
After his baseball career, he worked on Buster Keaton's production team as a camera operator.
Houck refused to report to Baltimore, and jumped to the Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the outlaw Federal League.
[11] He signed a three-year contract with Brooklyn[12] paying him $3,500 per season ($106,465 in current dollar terms).
[23] In 1920, Babe Borton, Houck's teammate with Vernon, was caught bribing opponents to throw games.
He alleged that the plan was discussed at Louis Anger's house with Houck present.
[25] Houck played semi-professional baseball in 1921, and briefly returned to the PCL to pitch for Vernon and Portland in 1922.
This connection led to Houck working as a camera operator on Buster Keaton's silent films.