Lester Wallack: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|American actor}} |
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'''John Johnstone Wallack''' (January 1, 1820, New York City – September 6, 1888, [[Stamford, Connecticut]]), was an |
'''John Johnstone Wallack''' (January 1, 1820, New York City – September 6, 1888, [[Stamford, Connecticut]]), was an American [[actor-manager]] and son of [[James William Wallack]] and [[Susan Johnstone]].{{sfn|Matthews|Hutton|1900|pp=283–300}} He used the stage name '''John Lester''' until October 5, 1858, when he first acted under the name '''Lester Wallack''', which he retained the rest of his career.<ref name=NAME/> |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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He was born in New York but at an early age he was taken to his parents' home in London where he was reared and educated.{{sfn| |
He was born in New York but at an early age he was taken to his parents' home in London where he was reared and educated.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}} His mother was also an actress [[Susan Johnstone]] and his father was [[James William Wallack]] a theatre producer.<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Johnstone, John Henry |volume= 30 |last= Middleton |first= Louisa Mary |author-link= |page= 82 |short= 1}}</ref> He had chosen a military career but became discouraged and went to [[Dublin]] where he went upon the stage. He remained for two seasons and then went to [[Edinburgh]]. Then in 1846, he appeared in London at the [[Haymarket Theatre]] under [[Benjamin Webster]]'s management. There he was seen by George H. Barrett, who had come to London to engage actors for the [[Old Broadway Theatre|Broadway Theatre]], in New York.{{sfn|Matthews|Hutton|1900|pp=283–300}} |
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He made his American debut there in 1847, under the name of John Lester, appearing as Sir Charles Coldstream in [[Dion Boucicault|Boucicault]]'s adaptation of ''Used Up''.{{sfn| |
He made his American debut there in 1847, under the name of John Lester, appearing as Sir Charles Coldstream in [[Dion Boucicault|Boucicault]]'s adaptation of ''Used Up''.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}} His father's brother, Henry Wallack, the father of James William Wallack Jr. (1818–1873),<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pqmveZd4jD8C&pg=PA131 |title=Players and Plays of the Last Quarter Century |volume=I |first=Lewis C. |last=Strang |location=Boston |publisher=L. C. Page & Company |year=1903 |page=131}}</ref> was also in the Broadway Theatre's company. His second appearance was as Viscount de Ligny in ''Captain of the Guard'' by [[James Planché]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}}{{sfn|Matthews|Hutton|1900|pp=283–300}} |
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Subsequently, he performed at the [[Bowery Theatre]], [[Burton's Theatre]], [[Niblo's Garden]] and the first [[Wallack's Theatre]]. His first appearance at the Bowery Theatre was in 1849 as ''Don Caesar de Bazan'' by [[Adolphe d'Ennery]] and [[Philippe Dumanoir]].{{sfn|Matthews|Hutton|1900|pp=283–300}} |
Subsequently, he performed at the [[Bowery Theatre]], [[Burton's Theatre]], [[Niblo's Garden]] and the first [[Wallack's Theatre]]. His first appearance at the Bowery Theatre was in 1849 as ''Don Caesar de Bazan'' by [[Adolphe d'Ennery]] and [[Philippe Dumanoir]].{{sfn|Matthews|Hutton|1900|pp=283–300}} |
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He was manager of the second Wallack's Theatre from 1861 (demolished in 1901), and in 1882 he opened the third at 30th Street and [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] (demolished in 1915).{{sfn| |
He was manager of the second Wallack's Theatre from 1861 (demolished in 1901), and in 1882 he opened the third at 30th Street and [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] (demolished in 1915).{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}} Among the productions staged at the latter was [[Margaret Mather]]'s ill-fated production of ''[[Cymbeline]]'' in 1897. Another Wallack's Theatre, at 254 West 42nd Street in New York, was named for him in 1924. Wallack joined [[The Lambs]] in 1875, which frequently met at Wallack's Theater. He served as its Shepherd (president): 1878-1879, 1880-1882. 1884-1888,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-lambs.org/board.htm |title=Governance of the Lambs ® |accessdate=2015-10-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131220915/http://www.the-lambs.org/board.htm |archivedate=2015-01-31 }}</ref> and was one of the founders of the [[Actors' Fund of America]]. |
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His greatest successes were as [[The School for Scandal|Charles Surface]], as [[Much Ado About Nothing|Benedick]], and especially as Elliot Grey in his own play ''Rosedale'', and similar light comedy and romantic parts, for which his fascinating manners and handsome person well fitted him. He married a sister (d. 1909) of [[John Everett Millais|Sir John Millais]]. He wrote his own ''Memories of Fifty Years''.{{sfn| |
His greatest successes were as [[The School for Scandal|Charles Surface]], as [[Much Ado About Nothing|Benedick]], and especially as Elliot Grey in his own play ''Rosedale'', and similar light comedy and romantic parts, for which his fascinating manners and handsome person well fitted him. He married a sister (d. 1909) of [[John Everett Millais|Sir John Millais]]. He wrote his own ''Memories of Fifty Years''.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=279}} |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*{{cite book |editor-last=Matthews |editor-first=Brander |authorlink=Brander Matthews |editor2-last=Hutton |editor2-first=Laurence | editor2-link=Laurence Hutton |year=1900 |url=https://archive.org/stream/lifeartofedwinbo00huttuoft#page/n7/mode/2up |title=Actors and Actresses of Great Britain and the United States |volume = |
*{{cite book |editor-last=Matthews |editor-first=Brander |authorlink=Brander Matthews |editor2-last=Hutton |editor2-first=Laurence | editor2-link=Laurence Hutton |year=1900 |url=https://archive.org/stream/lifeartofedwinbo00huttuoft#page/n7/mode/2up |title=Actors and Actresses of Great Britain and the United States |volume =5: Edwin Booth and His Contemporaries |edition=New Illustrated |publisher=L.C. Page & Co. |location=Boston |pages=283–300}} |
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'''Attribution:''' |
'''Attribution:''' |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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*{{cite journal |last=Burnham |first=Charles |date=1915 |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id |
*{{cite journal |last=Burnham |first=Charles |date=1915 |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id%3Dhe9DAQAAIAAJ |title=The Passing of Wallack's |journal=The Theatre |volume=21 |number=168 |page=72}} |
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*{{cite NIE |title=Wallack, John Lester |volume=20 |url=https://archive.org/stream/newinternational20gilm#page/264/mode/2up}} |
*{{cite NIE |title=Wallack, John Lester |volume=20 |url=https://archive.org/stream/newinternational20gilm#page/264/mode/2up}} |
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*[[William J. Florence|Florence, W. J.]] (1888-10). “Lester Wallack”. ''The North American Review,'' Vol. 147 No. 383, pp. 453–459. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/25101635 Online at JSTOR.] |
*[[William J. Florence|Florence, W. J.]] (1888-10). “Lester Wallack”. ''The North American Review,'' Vol. 147 No. 383, pp. 453–459. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/25101635 Online at JSTOR.] |
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*[[Montrose Jonas Moses|Moses, Montrose J.]] (1906). ''Famous Actor-Families in America.'' Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, New York, pp. 195–224. [https://archive.org/stream/famousactorfamil00mose#page/n271/mode/2up Online at Internet Archive.] |
*[[Montrose Jonas Moses|Moses, Montrose J.]] (1906). ''Famous Actor-Families in America.'' Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, New York, pp. 195–224. [https://archive.org/stream/famousactorfamil00mose#page/n271/mode/2up Online at Internet Archive.] |
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*Wallack, Lester and [[Laurence Hutton|Hutton, Laurence]] (1889). [https:// |
*Wallack, Lester and [[Laurence Hutton|Hutton, Laurence]] (1889). [https://archive.org/details/memoriesfiftyye00wallgoog ''Memories of Fifty Years.''] Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York |
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*[[William Winter (author)|Winter, William]] (1889). [https://books.google.com/books?id |
*[[William Winter (author)|Winter, William]] (1889). [https://books.google.com/books?id%3DagYuAAAAYAAJ ''Brief Chronicles, Part I.''] Publications of the Dunlap Society, No. 7, New York, pp. 313–23 |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Lester Wallack}} |
{{Commons category|Lester Wallack}} |
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* {{Internet Archive author |sname=John Lester Wallack}} |
* {{Internet Archive author |sname=John Lester Wallack}} |
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* [https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/findingAid.cfm?eadID=01434 Theater Arts Manuscripts:] An Inventory of the Collection at the [[Harry Ransom Center]] |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:American male stage actors]] |
[[Category:American male stage actors]] |
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[[Category:The Lambs presidents]] |
[[Category:The Lambs presidents]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Members of The Lambs Club]] |
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[[Category:Actor-managers]] |
Latest revision as of 18:50, 13 August 2024
Lester Wallack | |
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Born | |
Died | September 6, 1888 | (aged 68)
Occupation | Actor |
Signature | |
John Johnstone Wallack (January 1, 1820, New York City – September 6, 1888, Stamford, Connecticut), was an American actor-manager and son of James William Wallack and Susan Johnstone.[1] He used the stage name John Lester until October 5, 1858, when he first acted under the name Lester Wallack, which he retained the rest of his career.[2]
Biography
[edit]He was born in New York but at an early age he was taken to his parents' home in London where he was reared and educated.[3] His mother was also an actress Susan Johnstone and his father was James William Wallack a theatre producer.[4] He had chosen a military career but became discouraged and went to Dublin where he went upon the stage. He remained for two seasons and then went to Edinburgh. Then in 1846, he appeared in London at the Haymarket Theatre under Benjamin Webster's management. There he was seen by George H. Barrett, who had come to London to engage actors for the Broadway Theatre, in New York.[1]
He made his American debut there in 1847, under the name of John Lester, appearing as Sir Charles Coldstream in Boucicault's adaptation of Used Up.[3] His father's brother, Henry Wallack, the father of James William Wallack Jr. (1818–1873),[5] was also in the Broadway Theatre's company. His second appearance was as Viscount de Ligny in Captain of the Guard by James Planché.[3][1]
Subsequently, he performed at the Bowery Theatre, Burton's Theatre, Niblo's Garden and the first Wallack's Theatre. His first appearance at the Bowery Theatre was in 1849 as Don Caesar de Bazan by Adolphe d'Ennery and Philippe Dumanoir.[1]
He was manager of the second Wallack's Theatre from 1861 (demolished in 1901), and in 1882 he opened the third at 30th Street and Broadway (demolished in 1915).[3] Among the productions staged at the latter was Margaret Mather's ill-fated production of Cymbeline in 1897. Another Wallack's Theatre, at 254 West 42nd Street in New York, was named for him in 1924. Wallack joined The Lambs in 1875, which frequently met at Wallack's Theater. He served as its Shepherd (president): 1878-1879, 1880-1882. 1884-1888,[6] and was one of the founders of the Actors' Fund of America.
His greatest successes were as Charles Surface, as Benedick, and especially as Elliot Grey in his own play Rosedale, and similar light comedy and romantic parts, for which his fascinating manners and handsome person well fitted him. He married a sister (d. 1909) of Sir John Millais. He wrote his own Memories of Fifty Years.[3]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d Matthews & Hutton 1900, pp. 283–300.
- ^ See:
- "Wallack's Theater". New-York Daily Tribune. June 14, 1858. p. 1, column 6, advertisement.
Benefit of Mr. Lester
- "Wallack's Theater". New-York Daily Tribune. September 27, 1858. p. 2, column 1, advertisement.
John Lester Wallack, Stage Manager
- "Wallack's Theater". New-York Daily Tribune. October 4, 1858. p. 2, column 1, advertisement (for tomorrow).
Stage Manager, Mr. Lester Wallack. The company will consist of…Mr. Lester Wallack.…
- "Wallack's Theater". New-York Daily Tribune. June 14, 1858. p. 1, column 6, advertisement.
- ^ a b c d e Chisholm 1911, p. 279.
- ^ Middleton, Louisa Mary (1892). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 30. p. 82. .
- ^ Strang, Lewis C. (1903). Players and Plays of the Last Quarter Century. Vol. I. Boston: L. C. Page & Company. p. 131.
- ^ "Governance of the Lambs ®". Archived from the original on 2015-01-31. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
References
[edit]- Matthews, Brander; Hutton, Laurence, eds. (1900). Actors and Actresses of Great Britain and the United States. Vol. 5: Edwin Booth and His Contemporaries (New Illustrated ed.). Boston: L.C. Page & Co. pp. 283–300.
Attribution:
- public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Wallack, James William". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 279. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
Further reading
[edit]- Burnham, Charles (1915). "The Passing of Wallack's". The Theatre. 21 (168): 72.
- Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Wallack, John Lester". New International Encyclopedia. Vol. 20 (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.
- Florence, W. J. (1888-10). “Lester Wallack”. The North American Review, Vol. 147 No. 383, pp. 453–459. Online at JSTOR.
- Moses, Montrose J. (1906). Famous Actor-Families in America. Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, New York, pp. 195–224. Online at Internet Archive.
- Wallack, Lester and Hutton, Laurence (1889). Memories of Fifty Years. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York
- Winter, William (1889). Brief Chronicles, Part I. Publications of the Dunlap Society, No. 7, New York, pp. 313–23
External links
[edit]- Works by or about Lester Wallack at the Internet Archive
- Theater Arts Manuscripts: An Inventory of the Collection at the Harry Ransom Center